Lagatar24 Desk
Shimla: In a significant development, a Shimla Municipal Commissioner Court has ordered the demolition of three floors of the disputed Sanjauli mosque, giving the Masjid Committee and the Waqf Board a two-month deadline to complete the process. The decision comes amidst ongoing protests by some local residents and Hindu organizations, who claim the mosque’s construction is illegal.
The issue dates back to 2011 when the Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) first issued a notice to the Mosque Committee, questioning the legality of the structure. Despite this, the five-storey mosque was completed by 2018, with no records provided to the MC as requested, according to the lawyer representing the locals of Sanjauli.
Legal Battle and Court’s Ruling
The locals’ lawyer asserted, “The entire mosque is illegal. How was a five-storey building completed without proper authorization? Illegal activities are taking place there, yet electricity and water supplies were not cut off. The Waqf Board has significant landholdings in Sanjauli, excluding the disputed mosque land.”
Despite the lawyer’s plea, the court declined to include the locals as a party in the case, noting that the dispute was already between the Administration and the Waqf Board. The court stated, “This is a case of illegal construction, and since the Waqf Board is already involved, there is no need for third-party involvement.”
Protests and Clashes
The Sanjauli Mosque issue escalated after ten people were injured during a protest on September 11, demanding the demolition of part of the mosque. Protests soon spread to other areas, including Mandi, where water cannons were used to control the crowds.
The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for December 21, after the two-month period for the demolition expires.
