New Delhi, July 14 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to restore the status quo ante (the previous state of affairs) at the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, while issuing notice on a batch of appeals filed by the Muslim side challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court's verdict declaring the disputed monument to be a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notice to the Madhya Pradesh government, the Hindu parties and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), seeking their responses to the appeals. The matter has been directed to be listed for hearing after two to three weeks.

While refusi...