Nizamuddin Markaz Doesn’t Need To Have Fixed Number Of Devotees When No Other Religious Place Does: Delhi High Court

The High Court, which rejected the submissions by the Centre and Delhi Police, observed that there cannot be a cap on the number of devotees allowed to enter the Nizamuddin Markaz when no other religious place has such a restriction.

FILE PIC

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed the mosque in Hazrat Nizamuddin to open for prayers during Ramzan in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to maintain social distancing in view of the rise in Covid-19 cases in the national capital.

The High Court, which rejected the submissions by the Centre and Delhi Police, observed that there cannot be a cap on the number of devotees allowed to enter the Nizamuddin Markaz when no other religious place has such a restriction.

The High Court, however, said that a list of persons managing the mosque can be given to the local SHO.

READ: Delhi May See Another Lockdown If Health System Collapses: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

An inspection of the mosque in presence of the local SHO will take place, as per the High Court order, to measure the area for determining the number of people who can offer namaz at the place in accordance with social distancing norms and marking the spots where prayer mats can be put for the devotees.

Advocate Rajat Nair, who represented the Centre before the High Court, said earlier during the hearing that a list of 200 people can be submitted to the police but only 20 people may enter the mosque at a single time to comply with social distancing norms.

READ: Delhi Govt Issues New Restrictions Amid Covid-19 Surge; Know What's Allowed, What's Not

The order came on submissions that the mosque in Hazrat Nizamuddin can be made operational for the devotees to offer prayers since the month of Ramzan is beginning April 14, adding it should, however, be subject to Covid guidelines issued by the DDMA.