On December 11, a bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Amit Sharma reviewed the progress of the ASI's inspection. Senior advocate Anil Soni, representing the ASI, requested additional time to complete the survey. The court granted this extension and permitted one counsel representing the petitioners to accompany the ASI team during the inspection to ensure transparency and thoroughness.
The PILs, filed in 2014 by Suhail Ahmed Khan and Ajay Gautam, question why Jama Masjid is not under ASI's jurisdiction and challenge the use of the title "Shahi Imam" by the mosque's imam, Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari, as well as the appointment of his son as Naib Imam (deputy imam). The petitioners argue that bringing the mosque under ASI protection would enhance its preservation and address concerns about its management.
In a 2015 affidavit, the ASI disclosed that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured the Shahi Imam that Jama Masjid would not be declared a protected monument. The ASI emphasized that such a designation would have significant implications, introducing regulations and prohibitions in the area surrounding the mosque. Despite not being officially protected, the ASI has been involved in the conservation and preservation of the Mughal-era mosque, which is currently managed by the Delhi Waqf Board.