Mathura: A new claimant has emerged in the Sri Krishna Janmasthan case as the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust has formally laid claim to the Idgah land. The Trust has filed a case in the Court of Civil Judge Senior Division, naming Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan and Shahi Masjid Idgah Committee as defendants.

Turning plaintiff in the dispute

The Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust has argued that Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan (formerly Seva Sangh) did not possess the authority to enter into negotiations. However, in 1968, the Seva Sansthan had entered into an agreement with the Shahi Masjid Idgah Committee concerning the land. The Trust considers this agreement to be invalid. The court had decreed this settlement in 1973 and 1974. The Trust seeks the annulment of this agreement. This is the first instance where the Janmabhoomi Trust itself is a litigant among the 17 cases in the Janmasthan dispute. The suit has been filed on behalf of trustees Vinod Kumar Bindal and Omprakash Singhal.

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The crux of the matter

The birthplace and the Shahi Masjid Idgah are situated on the 13.37 acres of land at Shri Krishna Janmasthan. In 1968, the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sangh, responsible for overseeing the birthplace, reached an agreement with the Shahi Masjid Idgah Committee, encompassing 10 key points. This brought an end to all preceding disputes. Subsequently, the name of Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sangh was modified to Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan. The 13.37 acres of land is in the name of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust. The argument is that since the institute did not hold ownership of the land when the agreement was made, the agreement itself is deemed invalid.