India, July 14 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the Madhya Pradesh high court's judgment declaring the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar a temple of Goddess Saraswati and declined to restore Friday namaz at the site, even as it directed authorities to provide a nearby space for Muslims to offer prayers as an interim arrangement.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said that the state administration and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) may earmark a separate open space "adjacent or near to" the disputed complex where members of the Muslim community can offer Friday namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm. The court also restra...