Prayagraj, July 6 -- The Allahabad High Court has intervened in the long-standing legal dispute concerning the claim of a 'Tejo Mahalaya' temple within the Taj Mahal complex, directing the Union Government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to submit their counter-affidavits.

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal issued the directive while hearing a petition challenging the lower courts' refusal to appoint an Advocate Commissioner for a survey and scientific documentation of the site. In addition to the government and the ASI, the court has also issued a formal notice to respondent Pankaj Kumar Verma.

The issue stems from a declaratory suit filed in 2015 at the Agra Civil Court, in which the petitioners--representing the 'Lord Shri Agr...