Since Peterborough City Council opted to sell the Bharat Hindu Samaj Mandir site to settle its debts—selecting Khadija Mosque as the preferred purchaser in December—a lot has transpired. A High Court judge, Mr Justice Fordham after three initial days of consideration has granted a stay of execution by extending the temporary injunction till the next court hearing in end of May or early June, halting the sale at the moment. It is understood that the next hearing will be a sort of ‘rolled up’ hearing, deciding if there should be a judicial review of the council’s decision to sell and, if so, that hearing would take place immediately.
A spokesperson for the council told the BBC, "We are aware of the legal action being pursued... and will now engage in the legal process."
To cover potentially costly legal fees, the temple launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe page. And the organisers were amazed by the outpour of public support which has already raised more than £102,000, through around 1.2k donations, as we went to press [https://www.gofundme.com/f/bharat-hindu-samaj-legal-fund].
The amount of donations vary from as little as £5 to as high as £2501. The highest recorded amounts vary between £5000 and £5501.
The fundraising organisers have reportedly told the BBC that they have received donations not just from India, but also Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and even the United States. Contributions have come from the Indian community as well as people from all walks of life including non-Hindus.
The fundraising page states the temple needs £86,000 to fight the council in the court. These funds would go towards hiring specialist public law solicitors and barristers, covering court fees, evidence preparation, and meeting urgent court deadlines.
Peterborough City Council told the BBC that its officers "continue to liaise with all affected parties in this matter."
A Khadija Mosque representative reportedly explained that, due to ongoing legal proceedings, they are unable to comment further at this time.
Community rallies behind Peterborough Temple
The Hindu community in the UK including most large organisations and temples as well as Peers, MPs and community leaders have come forward to support Bharat Hindu Samaj Mandir’s efforts and pleas to keep the temple in the current New England Complex premises, despite Khadija Mosque winning the bid to buy it.
The Peterborough Temple is the only Hindu temple for 40 years in a 35-miles radius unlike several mosques and churches in the area. Lord Rami Ranger not only wrote to the Communities Secretary Steve Reed but also to the mosque to reconsider the decision to buy the temple premises.
Virendra Sharma, the former Labour MP wrote to the Secretary of State as well asking to look into the community’s needs. Asian Voice ran a petition that has seen several correspondences of support.
In a recent statement, the Peterborough temple stated: Bharat Hindu Samaj has obtained an interim prohibitory injunction from the High Court of Justice preventing Peterborough City Council from taking any irreversible steps in relation to the disposal of the New England Complex, home to the charity’s temple and community
centre. The Order was granted by Mr Justice Fordham on 27 February 2026 in judicial review proceedings brought by the charity. The Court directed that the Council must not proceed with any irreversible action concerning the property until further order.
In his reasons, the Judge noted the absence of a substantive response from the Council and concluded that there was a strong prima facie case and that the balance of convenience and justice supported granting interim relief. The injunction preserves the charity’s position while the matter is properly examined through due legal process.
The Board of Trustees confirmed that the decision to initiate legal proceedings was
unanimous and followed extensive consideration during a period of urgency. At a previous
Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), members expressed that legal action should be pursued if necessary to protect the temple. The Trustees have acted in accordance with that Mandate.
A High Court judge, Mr Justice Fordham after three initial days of consideration has granted a stay of execution by extending the temporary injunction till the next court hearing in end of May or early June, halting the sale at the moment. It is understood that the next hearing will be a sort of ‘rolled up’ hearing, deciding if there should be a judicial review of the council’s decision to sell and, if so, that hearing would take place immediately.
A spokesperson for the council told the BBC, "We are aware of the legal action being pursued... and will now engage in the legal process."
To cover potentially costly legal fees, the temple launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe page. And the organisers were amazed by the outpour of public support which has already raised more than £102,000, through around 1.2k donations, as we went to press [https://www.gofundme.com/f/bharat-hindu-samaj-legal-fund].
The amount of donations vary from as little as £5 to as high as £2501. The highest recorded amounts vary between £5000 and £5501.
The fundraising organisers have reportedly told the BBC that they have received donations not just from India, but also Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and even the United States. Contributions have come from the Indian community as well as people from all walks of life including non-Hindus.
The fundraising page states the temple needs £86,000 to fight the council in the court. These funds would go towards hiring specialist public law solicitors and barristers, covering court fees, evidence preparation, and meeting urgent court deadlines.
Peterborough City Council told the BBC that its officers "continue to liaise with all affected parties in this matter."
A Khadija Mosque representative reportedly explained that, due to ongoing legal proceedings, they are unable to comment further at this time.
Community rallies behind Peterborough Temple
The Hindu community in the UK including most large organisations and temples as well as Peers, MPs and community leaders have come forward to support Bharat Hindu Samaj Mandir’s efforts and pleas to keep the temple in the current New England Complex premises, despite Khadija Mosque winning the bid to buy it.
The Peterborough Temple is the only Hindu temple for 40 years in a 35-miles radius unlike several mosques and churches in the area. Lord Rami Ranger not only wrote to the Communities Secretary Steve Reed but also to the mosque to reconsider the decision to buy the temple premises.
Virendra Sharma, the former Labour MP wrote to the Secretary of State as well asking to look into the community’s needs. Asian Voice ran a petition that has seen several correspondences of support.
In a recent statement, the Peterborough temple stated: Bharat Hindu Samaj has obtained an interim prohibitory injunction from the High Court of Justice preventing Peterborough City Council from taking any irreversible steps in relation to the disposal of the New England Complex, home to the charity’s temple and community
centre. The Order was granted by Mr Justice Fordham on 27 February 2026 in judicial review proceedings brought by the charity. The Court directed that the Council must not proceed with any irreversible action concerning the property until further order.
In his reasons, the Judge noted the absence of a substantive response from the Council and concluded that there was a strong prima facie case and that the balance of convenience and justice supported granting interim relief. The injunction preserves the charity’s position while the matter is properly examined through due legal process.
The Board of Trustees confirmed that the decision to initiate legal proceedings was
unanimous and followed extensive consideration during a period of urgency. At a previous
Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), members expressed that legal action should be pursued if necessary to protect the temple. The Trustees have acted in accordance with that Mandate.
