The Delhi High Court took exception to a communication from the Prime Minister Office (PMO) to the Imam of Jama Masjid stating that the ancient mosque would not be declared a "protected" monument and has called for relevant central government files and records. Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul were hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) when the ASI's advocate informed the bench about the PMO letter regarding Jama Masjid.