Shimla, Nov 16,
The Municipal Corporation court, presided over by Commissioner Bhupendra Atri, held a hearing on Saturday regarding the contentious Sanjauli Mosque case. The court directed the Sanjauli Mosque Committee President, Mohammad Latif, and the Waqf Board to submit a reply on the status of demolishing two unauthorized floors of the mosque still expected to be raged by the committee in its undertaking to do so . This directive follows an earlier order to demolish three floors of the five-storey structure, which remains unimplemented.
The court sought clarity on the progress or delays in compliance with its previous orders. In the ongoing proceedings, the Commissioner also summoned the respondents to file a detailed status report regarding the ground and first floors. A new hearing date will be set once the report is submitted.
Meanwhile, the Waqf Board’s Estate Officer highlighted that the matter is under judicial scrutiny in the District Court, Shimla. A petition has been filed challenging the Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s decision to demolish three floors of the mosque. The petition, which also questions the locus standi of Mohammad Latif as President of the Sanjauli Mosque Committee, is slated for a hearing on November 18.
The Muslim side contended that Latif had initially submitted a written offer agreeing to demolish three floors of the mosque. However, this agreement has now become a point of legal contention. In light of the overlapping litigation, the Municipal Corporation court emphasized the need for a status report to ensure clarity on the disputed structure’s compliance with legal orders.
The five-storey Sanjauli Mosque has been at the center of the dispute due to alleged unauthorized construction. The case continues to attract attention as multiple legal forums deliberate its resolution.
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