Temporary relief for Muslim side as trial court had ordered demolition of entire structure
TNR News Network
SHIMLA:
In a temporary relief to the Muslim side in the Sanjauli mosque demolition case, the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday (December 3, 2025) ordered status quo on the structure’s lower two floors while maintaining that the top three storeys must be pulled down.
The high-profile Sanjauli mosque row took a fresh turn as Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, after hearing arguments from all sides, reiterated that the upper three floors of the five-storey building were unauthorised and must be removed.
The Waqf Board informed the court that two of these floors have already been demolished and assured that the remaining one will also be taken down soon. The court, however, directed that the bottom two floors should remain untouched for now.
HC questions legality of structure, seeks clarity
During the hearing, the High Court raised pointed questions about the legality of the construction and asked the municipal corporation to clarify its stand. The Shimla MC categorically stated that the structure was built without requisite permissions and was, therefore, illegal.
After considering submissions from all parties, the single-judge bench fixed March 9, 2026, as the next date of hearing and issued a notice to the Shimla MC, making it a respondent in the case.
Five-storey mosque-like building at centre of controversy
The dispute stems from a five-storey structure erected in Sanjauli allegedly without municipal approval, which is being referred to as a mosque. The matter initially went before the MC commissioner’s court, which declared the top three floors illegal and ordered their demolition. The district court later held the entire structure to be unauthorised and directed that the whole building be razed.
Challenging this order, the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board approached the High Court. The case was first heard by a division bench, but after the Board sought to withdraw its petition and filed a fresh one, the matter was reassigned. It is now being heard by Justice Ajay Mohan Goel’s single bench.
