The dispute over the structure arose after the Hindu side (plaintiffs) filed a suit before the civil court claiming that the Shahi Idgah Masjid (mosque) was built over Krishna Janmabhoomi land.
The civil suit was filed on behalf of a Hindu deity Bhagwan Shri Krishna Virajman and certain Hindu devotees. The plaintiffs sought the removal of the mosque from its current site.
The plaintiffs further claimed that there were various indications to support the view that the Shahi-Idgah Mosque is, in fact, a Hindu temple. Therefore, an application was made before the High Court to appoint a commissioner to examine the site.
The main suit was initially dismissed by a civil court in September 2020, citing the bar on admitting the case under the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
However, this decision was overturned after an appeal before the Mathura District Court. The Mathura District Court in May 2022 held that the suit was maintainable.
The matter was later transferred to the Allahabad High Court in 2023.