Shimla: In a crucial development in the Sanjauli Mosque controversy, a Shimla court has ordered the demolition of the remaining two lower floors of the mosque. This decision was made after a hearing in the Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s Court, where the Waqf Board failed to produce the necessary documents, leading to the ruling.
The Waqf Board was required to submit ownership papers for the land and architectural plans related to the mosque by Saturday. However, their lawyer did not provide valid documents or make a convincing case in their defense.
The lawyer argued that the mosque predates 1947 and that the current structure is a replacement of the old one. In reply, the court questioned why the Waqf Board did not seek necessary permissions, including building approvals, from the Municipal Corporation if the mosque was reconstructed after 1947. The court noted that the mosque was built in violation of established rules.
After about 45 minutes of hearing, the court reserved its final verdict, which was announced later in the day by Municipal Commissioner Bhupinder Atri. The verdict declared the entire mosque structure illegal and ordered its demolition.
Speaking on the ruling, Jagat Pal, representing local residents of Sanjauli, said, “The court rightly found that the mosque was constructed without proper permissions, approvals, or compliance with municipal norms. No map was approved, yet a multi-story building was erected. This decision upholds the law and the rights of local residents who have raised concerns for years.”