India

High Court Seeks Explanation From DDA On 600-Year-Old Mosque Demolition In Delhi

The High Court has instructed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to explain by January 30 the reason behind the demolition of Masjid Akhonji, a 600-year-old mosque in the Mehrauli area. The mosque also housed a madrasa. Justice Sachin Dutta has asked the DDA to respond within a week, specifically addressing whether any prior notice was given before carrying out the demolition.

Pending petition

This directive was issued during the hearing of an application filed against the demolition of the mosque, Madrasa Bahrul Uloom, and several graves. The Managing Committee of the Delhi Waqf Board submitted the application, which has been pending since 2022.

The managing committee alleges that the mosque and madrasa were demolished on January 30, leaving the mosque’s Imam Zakir Hussain and his family without shelter as their hut was also dismantled.

In the courtroom, the DDA’s lawyer stated that the demolition was executed based on the recommendations of the religious committee on January 4. Moreover, before making the decision, the religious committee had provided a hearing opportunity to the CEO of the Delhi Waqf Board.

Hearing scheduled

Contrarily, the lawyer representing the Managing Committee of Delhi Waqf Board argued that the religious committee lacks the jurisdiction to order any demolition. The court has scheduled further consideration of the issue for the next hearing on February 12.

Srushti Sharma

Recent Posts

PM Modi Meets Bhutan PM Tobgay At BIMSTEC Summit; Highlights Strong Bilateral Ties & Regional Cooperation

PM Narendra Modi met Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC…

7 hours ago

Jamia Students Back Waqf Amendment Bill; Call It A Step Toward Empowerment

The student group 'Shaher-E-Arzoo' expressed firm support for the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it a…

9 hours ago

India’s Exports To The US Face Limited Impact From Tariff Hike: SBI Report

The 27% tariff hike by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods will have only…

9 hours ago

Waqf Freed From Mafia Control, New Era Of Development Begins For Muslims: MRM

Following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in both Houses of Parliament, celebrations…

10 hours ago

India’s Forex Reserves Surge To $665.4 Billion; Rupee Strengthens As Trade Deficit Narrows

India’s forex reserves jumped $6.6 billion to a five-month high of $665.4 billion for the…

11 hours ago

Laxmi Singh Leads Gautam Buddha Nagar Police To Historic No 1 Rank In IGRS Across All Stations

Gautam Buddha Nagar Police, led by CP Laxmi Singh, achieved a historic feat with all…

12 hours ago