Delhi HC Asks DDA To Maintain Status Quo On Demolished 600-Year-Old Mosque Land In Mehrauli

Delhi Wakf Board has told Delhi HC that copies of the Quran were torn and children were not allowed to take their belongings before the 600-year-old mosque was demolished.

On January 30, the DDA demolished the Akhonji mosque, Madrasa Bahrul Uloom and various graves.

After seeking explanation from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on why the 600-year-old mosque was demolished, the Delhi High Court on Monday asked the city authority to maintain status quo on the land where the now razed Masjid Akhonji stood.

On January 30, the DDA demolished the Akhonji mosque, Madrasa Bahrul Uloom and various graves. Following this, the Delhi Wakf Board moved the high court saying that the demolition was conducted in a brazen manner leaving the Imam of the mosque and his family homeless.

Justice Sachin Datta of the high court passed the order and stated that the status quo shall be maintained till February 12, LiveLaw reported.

According to the report, the counsel appearing for committee alleged that copies of the Quran were torn, the children were not even allowed to take their belongings and none of the records were protected. The Managing Committee of the Delhi Waqf Board had moved an urgent application over the demolition of the 600-year-old mosque.

The status quo order is passed only with respect to the land where the mosque stood. The DDA can carry out its action on adjoining areas, the court said. The Managing Committee of Delhi Waqf Board has contended that the demolition was carried out by DDA illegally and was against judicial orders. It has been alleged that the demolition was carried out without prior notice or survey, the report said.

According to the same report, the DDA has questioned why the managing committee challenged the demolition when the demolition was done on recommendation of a religious committee on January 04, in which CEO of the Waqf Board participated. DDA has said that the religious committee not only recommended the demolition of the mosque but also some temples and other religious structures.

Speaking to PTI, advocate for the (Intezamia Masajid Committee said that they had filed a petition reminding the DDA about the high court order that first demarcation should be done, following fencing by the committee.

 

VIDEO | “They have demolished a 700-year-old Masjid in Mehrauli (Delhi). Before the demolition, we filed a petition where we reminded them about the High Court order that demarcation should be done, and afterward, our petitioner (Intezamia Masajid Committee ) will do the… pic.twitter.com/4y8mQ5cNvV

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 5, 2024