The Shimla District Court on Monday (November 18, 2024) held a hearing on an appeal challenging the order to demolish alleged unauthorised construction at the Sanjauli mosque, built near the Himachal Pradesh capital.
Nazakat Ali Hashmi, a resident of Paonta Sahib, filed the appeal against the Municipal Commissioner’s decision on October 5. The court has now directed the Waqf Board to submit an affidavit regarding the case. Hashmi has raised objections to the affidavit previously filed by Mohammad Latif, claiming it is invalid.
The court previously declined to stay the demolition order on November 6, instead requesting records from the Municipal Commissioner. Additionally, on November 11, the court rejected a petition to include local residents as parties in the case.
The Sanjauli mosque issue has sparked intense public reaction, leading to a major protest in Sanjauli Bazaar on September 11. Thousands of protesters clashed with police, resulting in a lathicharge to control the crowd. Ten persons sustained injuries and police officers were also hurt due to stone-pelting by protesters. Following this, demonstrations erupted across the state, including in Mandi, against unauthorised mosque constructions and the increasing presence of migrant workers.
On September 12, mosque committee president Latif Mohammad proposed to voluntarily demolish three unauthorised floors of the mosque. Subsequently, on October 5, the Municipal Commissioner granted the mosque committee two months to remove the unauthorised construction at its own expense. The next hearing is scheduled for November 22.
Shimla court takes up appeal against demolition of Sanjauli mosque, next hearing on November 22
