MEERUT, July 3 -- A Chandausi court in Sambhal district has decided to hear a petition seeking a ban on offering namaz at the Shahi Jama Masjid until its religious status is legally determined.

The petition was filed by Simran Gupta, national president of the Hindu Shakti Dal. Civil judge (senior division) Aditya Singh admitted the plea on Thursday and scheduled the next hearing for July 21.

The petitioner argued that allowing religious activities such as namaz at a site already declared "disputed" by the court could hinder an impartial investigation. The plea sought the sealing of the Shahi Jama Masjid and the transfer of its custody to the district magistrate for neutral oversight until the court delivers a final verdict on the site's...