Mathura: Radha Rani will not be a party in the Shahi Idgah–Krishna Janmabhoomi case

The Allahabad High Court has rejected an application impleading goddess Radha be made a party to one of the 18 suits pertaining to the Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi–Shahi Idgah title dispute.

Rejecting the application, Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra said, "Puranic illustrations are considered hearsay evidence."

The court said, "The claim of the applicant as a joint holder of property in [the] dispute together with [the] plaintiff is based on some reference in various Puranas and Sanhitas wherein Shriji Radha Rani is considered as the soul of Lord Krishna."

In a hearing held on 23 May, it had said that the Pauranic illustrations and what they depict "is usually based on narrative and not on direct observation or testimony".

The application, moved through Advocate Reena N. Singh, claimed that the applicant Shriji Radha Rani is the legal wife and the feminine form of the plaintiff in the suit — Sri Bhagwan Krishna Lala Virajman — and that together, they both are worshipped as deities since time immemorial.

They both allegedly hold the disputed land comprising 13.37 acres, it argued.

The applicant claimed joint ownership of the disputed property with the plaintiff, based on references in the Puranas and Sanhitas.

It was argued that the applicant (Radha Rani) is a necessary and proper party to the suit and her impleadment is essential for complete justice under Order 1 Rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Code.

The court, however, rejected the application, saying the applicant is neither a necessary nor a proper party to the suit.

The court noted that the applicant could not demonstrate any evidence or binding authority in support of her claim in the disputed matter, which is claimed by the plaintiffs as the birthplace of Lord Krishna and where the Shahi Idgah Masjid currently stands.

The court, however, noted that if the applicant in the future comes with any concrete evidence supporting the claim of joint ownership, her impleadment may be considered.

The plaintiffs claim that Sri Krishna's birthplace, a temple in Mathura, has been under encroachment since 1669–70 by the Shahi Idgah Masjid management.

The suit seeks removal of the allegedly illegal encroachment.

The court concluded, "This court finds force in the objection raised by some of the parties to the suit in regard to impleadment application filed on behalf of Shriji Radha Rani. There is no averment in the impleadment application that there was a temple of Radha Rani in the property in dispute."

The controversy is related to the Mughal-era Shahi Idgah mosque (purportedly built in the rule of Emperor Shah Jahan) in Mathura, which is alleged to have been built after demolishing a temple at Lord Krishna's birthplace.