The Supreme Court has referred the long-running Gyanvapi dispute in Varanasi to a Special Lok Adalat under its Samadhan Samaroh-2026 initiative, encouraging Hindu and Muslim parties to explore a negotiated settlement through dialogue.

The Gyanvapi case is scheduled to be taken up by the Special Lok Adalat on August 21, 22 and 23, while a pre-conciliation hearing is expected to be held in Varanasi on July 14. The move is part of a broader Supreme Court initiative to facilitate amicable settlements in suitable pending cases, including some of the country’s most sensitive religious disputes.

Gyanvapi Case Referred To Special Lok Adalat

The Supreme Court’s intervention comes under the “Supreme Court Action for Mediated Adjudication and Disputes Harmonization Across Nation (SAMADHAN SAMAROH)” initiative.

The programme is aimed at promoting participative justice and encouraging litigants to resolve suitable pending disputes through dialogue and mutually acceptable settlements.

The initiative involves Special Lok Adalats being organised to mark the Supreme Court’s 75th anniversary.

Under the latest direction, the Gyanvapi dispute has been placed before a Special Lok Adalat scheduled to be held on August 21, 22 and 23.

Before the Special Lok Adalat proceedings, a pre-conciliation hearing is expected to take place in Varanasi on July 14 to examine whether dialogue between the rival parties can lead to a settlement.

The Supreme Court has expressed hope that discussions facilitated through the Lok Adalat mechanism could help bridge differences and pave the way for a mutually acceptable resolution.

Mathura Dispute Also Brought Under Settlement Framework

The Supreme Court’s settlement initiative has also been extended to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Mosque dispute in Mathura.

Special Leave Petitions linked to the dispute were referred to a Special Lok Adalat under the Samadhan Samaroh programme in an effort to bring Hindu and Muslim parties to the negotiating table.

However, the first round of conciliation proceedings failed to make progress.

Representatives of the Hindu side attended the hearing conducted before Additional District and Sessions Judge Surendra Prasad, while no representative from the Muslim side appeared.

The absence of representatives from one side prevented the conciliation process from proceeding, and the effort was subsequently declared unsuccessful.

18 Suits Related To Mathura Dispute Pending Before High Court

Mahendra Pratap Singh, one of the Hindu litigants in the Krishna Janmabhoomi case, said around 18 suits connected to the dispute were pending before the Allahabad High Court.

Singh said seven Special Leave Petitions had recently been filed before the Supreme Court seeking a negotiated resolution of the dispute.

Following the petitions, the matter was referred to the Lok Adalat process as part of the Supreme Court’s settlement initiative.

Notices Issued In Sambhal Religious Dispute

The Supreme Court’s initiative is not limited to the Gyanvapi and Mathura disputes.

Notices have also reportedly been issued to parties involved in the Hari Mandir-Mosque dispute in Sambhal as part of the broader settlement exercise.

Through Samadhan Samaroh-2026, the Supreme Court is seeking to provide litigants in long-pending and sensitive disputes with a platform to engage in dialogue and explore consensus-based solutions.

The success of the process depends on the willingness of all parties to participate in negotiations and agree to a settlement.

The decision to bring high-profile religious disputes within the Special Lok Adalat framework marks an effort by the Supreme Court to encourage mediation and negotiated settlements in cases that have remained locked in prolonged litigation.

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