The first court case is filed by Nirmohi Akhara mahant Raghubar Das, who moves a local court seeking permission to construct a “mandap’ atop the platform in front of the mosque. His plea is rejected on the grounds that while the platform is in Das’s possession, its close proximity to the mosque will incite more conflict if Das’s request is granted.
Raghubar Das challenges the decision in the district court. Colonel FEA Chamier, the district court judge, agrees that the mosque has been built atop a place worshipped by Hindus, but it was now too late to amend a ‘mistake committed over 350 years ago,’ and orders status quo.
