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Vishnu Shankar Jain
Born (1986-10-09) 9 October 1986 (age 40)
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Occupationlawyer

Vishnu Shankar Jain[1] is an Indian lawyer known as a petitioner in various controversial claims including the demands of surveys on various Mosques in India.[2][3][4][5]

Early life

Jain was born on 9 October 1986, he completed his law studies at Balaji Law College in 2010.[6]

Career

Gyanvapi Mosque

In 2022, Jain and his father were among the lawyers representing the petitioners who demanded the survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque at a local Court in Varanasi.[7][8][9]

The petitioners later announced that Jain and their team would no longer represent them. [10]

Shahi Eidgah Mosque

In 2023, he was a part of the group of lawyers who represented a petition to the Allahabad High Court seeking a survey of the Shahi Eidgah mosque (Mathura).[11]

The High Court initially permitted a survey, but The Supreme Court later stayed the survey, observing the plea was vague.[12][13][14]

Shahi Jama Masjid

In 2024, he along with his father, represented a group of Hindu plaintiffs in the civil Court of Sambhal, demanding a survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.[15][16]

The prayer was granted ex parte and the survey was completed by the evening. Commentators and scholars note the litigation to be part of a broader Hindu nationalist assault on Indian Muslims.[17][18]

After a few days, again, there was an attempt at a fresh survey which gave rise to apprehensions that the surveyors were excavating the mosque; stone-pelting and arson followed, resulting in four deaths, likely from retaliatory police firing.[17]

A week later, the Supreme Court of India directed the Civil Court to pause all proceedings until the Allahabad High Courtheard the Mosque Committee's challenge to the survey order.[19]

Waqf Act

In 2025, Jain also represented petitioners,[20] in the Supreme Court of India challenging the Waqf Act (1995).[21][22][23]

VIP Darshan

In 2026, Jain was the counsel for the petitioner, Darpan Awasthi in the Supreme Court of India challenging the practice of VIP darshan at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.[24][25]The petition was refused to be entertained by Justice Surya Kant.[26][27]

Qutub Minar

Jain has represented petitions claiming the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque within the Qutub Minar complex in Delhi was built upon the ruins of 27 demolished Hindu and Jain temples, and seeking the restoration of deity worship.[28]

UGC 2026

In 2026, Jain also represented petitioners, in the Supreme Court of India challenging the UGC Regulations 2026.[29][30]

Bhojshala Case

Jain is the lead lawyer for the Hindu side in the legal battle for the Bhojshala in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.[31][32][33]

References

  1. ↑ Sen, Shampa. "Meet Hari Shankar and Vishnu Jain, lawyer duo fighting for the Hindu side in Gyanvapi case". DNA India. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  2. ↑ "'Never led mob': Vishnu Jain claims Akhilesh, Owaisi spreading rumours on Sambhal violence". The Times of India. 2024-11-27. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  3. ↑ "कौन हैं विष्णु शंकर जैन? संभल की जामा मस्जिद से लेकर ज्ञानवापी तक लड़ रहे ये केस". Jansatta (in हिन्दी). 2024-11-25. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  4. ↑ "16th Century Mosque, A City On Fire: Sambhal Violence Explained". www.ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 2025-05-24. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  5. ↑ PTI (2025-10-16). "Prime accused in Sambhal violence case traced abroad, extradition efforts on". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  6. ↑ "hari shankar jain and vishnu shankar jain biography know lawyer father son duo who handle 102 hindu cases | कौन हैं वकील हरि शंकर जैन और विष्णु जैन? अयोध्या-काशी-मथुरा समेत 100 से ज्यादा केस लड़ रहे". Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  7. ↑ Lakshman, Abhinay (2022-07-13). "Gyanvapi dispute | Now, masjid panel too seeks removal of Vishnu Shankar Jain over 'conflict'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  8. ↑ ""Not legally possible…" Vishnu Shankar Jain as petitioner seeks out-of-court settlement in Gyanvapi case". The Times of India. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath case: Varanasi court allows scientific survey of mosque premises". The Times of India. 2023-07-21. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  10. ↑ Lakshman, Abhinay (2022-06-01). "Split among Gyanvapi Hindu plaintiffs may spread to other cases too". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  11. ↑ "Supreme Court refuses to stay Krishna Janmabhoomi survey order". The Times of India. 2023-12-15. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "India court allows survey of historic mosque to see if it stands on temple". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  13. ↑ Salam, Ziya Us (2023-12-19). "Why has a survey been approved at the Shahi Idgah? | Explained". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  14. ↑ Rajagopal, Krishnadas (2024-01-16). "Supreme Court stays Allahabad High Court order to appoint commission to inspect Shahi Idgah mosque premises in Mathura". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  15. ↑ Kumar, Subodh (2024-11-25). "A mandir-masjid dispute and a survey: What led to deadly Sambhal violence". India Today. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "Why are Indian Muslims in Sambhal protesting? - TRT World". www.trtworld.com. 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "How Sambhal row was born, post 1878 suit dismissal, post 1976 tension, when a priest met some familiar names". The Indian Express. 2024-11-28. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  18. ↑ "Express view: Tragedy in Sambhal". The Indian Express. 2024-11-26. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  19. ↑ Jain, Anmol Kaur Bawa & Debby (2024-11-29). "Sambhal Masjid: Supreme Court Asks Trial Court To Defer Proceedings Till Survey Order Is Challenged, Keep Commissioner Report Sealed". www.livelaw.in. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  20. ↑ "Supreme Court issues notice to Centre and states on petition challenging Waqf Act, 1995". The Indian Express. 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  21. ↑ Hindu, The (2025-05-15). "Waqf (Amendment) Act SC hearing updates: CJI Gavai-led Bench lists waqf case for further hearing on May 20". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  22. ↑ "Waqf Amendment Bill: Why Muslims are opposing it". The Times of India. 2025-04-02. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  23. ↑ "Supreme Court Waqf Act Hearing: Interim Relief Pleas Set for May 20". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  24. ↑ "'In Mahakal's presence, nobody is VIP': SC declines to entertain appeal challenging Madhya Pradesh HC against 'VIP darshan' at Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple". The Indian Express. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  25. ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (2026-01-27). "Supreme Court refuses to entertain plea against 'VIP darshan' at Ujjain Mahakal temple". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-04-22. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  26. ↑ "'Nobody can be VIP in Mahakaal's presence': Supreme Court on plea against entry into Ujjain temple sanctum". Hindustan Times. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  27. ↑ "Supreme Court News: SC Rejects Plea on VIP Darshan at Mahakal". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  28. ↑ "Gyanvapi case: The father-son lawyer duo at centre of string of petitions". The Indian Express. 2022-05-29. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
  29. ↑ "Supreme Court Stays New UGC Guidelines to Tackle Caste-Based Discrimination". The Wire. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "SC has stayed the UGC Regulations and kept them in abeyance, says petitioner's counsel Vishnu Shankar Jain". firstindia.co.in. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  31. ↑ "Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque case: Puja, namaz don't necessarily have to take place in temple, mosque, observes HC". The Indian Express. 2026-04-07. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  32. ↑ "Bhojshala actually a temple of Goddess Saraswati, it can't be a mosque: Hindu side to HC - The Economic Times". m.economictimes.com. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  33. ↑ "Bhojshala dispute hearing adjourned till April 17 by High Court: Senior advocate seeks more time to complete arguments - Indore News". Bhaskar English. 2026-04-16. Retrieved 2026-05-02.