Shimla, Oct 5,
The Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Court of Shimla today ruled to demolish the top three floors of the illegal Sanjauli mosque, following a request made by the mosque construction and development committee.
The court dismissed the application of a third-party petitioner who sought to be included in the case.
The case concerns the unauthorized construction of the mosque, which was built without permission from the Shimla Municipal Corporation. Today’s hearing saw both sides argue their positions.
The court initially reserved its decision on the third-party application until 4 pm, before ultimately rejecting it.
During the proceedings, a Junior Engineer from the Municipal Corporation inspected and measured the mosque’s construction and submitted the report to the court. This report played a crucial role in the decision to allow the demolition of the illegal structures.
The court’s order pertains to the demolition of the second and third floors, which were built without prior approval from the municipal authorities.
Municipal Commissioner Bhupinder Attri, who presided over the case, dismissed the third-party application and deferred further hearings to December 21. The court will then continue addressing the remaining issues in the case.
The mosque construction committee had submitted a formal request to the court, seeking permission to demolish the unauthorized floors, acknowledging that the construction was carried out without the necessary permits during the previous BJP administration. After hearing the arguments, the court granted permission for the demolition, marking a significant step in resolving the long-standing dispute.
This case has attracted considerable attention over the past few weeks, particularly from right-wing organizations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Devbhoomi Protection Committee. Their protests have kept the issue in the public eye, demanding action against unauthorized constructions, including religious structures.
The Municipal Corporation has faced mounting pressure to address illegal constructions across the city, irrespective of religious affiliations. However, this is the first time the court has ordered the demolition of a religious structure based on the submission of its own managing committee.
The ruling signals a strong stance by the Shimla Municipal Corporation in curbing illegal constructions across the city. With the next hearing set for December 21, the case remains far from over, but the court’s directive for demolition is seen as a significant move in enforcing the law.
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