Meerut:, Feb. 28 -- As soon as the Allahabad high court issued its directive, a three-member team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal to assess the need for whitewashing and decorative arrangements at the Mughal-era mosque ahead of the Ramzan month. The team spent an hour and a half at the site and prepared their report.

The ASI team included joint director Madan Singh Chauhan, director Zulfequar Ali and Vinod Singh Rawat. Zafar Ali, president of the Shahi Jama Masjid Management committee, was also present.

"The three-member ASI team visited the mosque and conducted inspection as directed by the high court. They made notes, took photographs of the mosque structure and premises. They ...