Sunehri Bagh Mosque
– Photo: Social Media
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The Imam of Sunehri Bagh Mosque on Saturday moved the Delhi High Court against the proposed demolition of the structure due to alleged traffic congestion in the area. Petitioner Abdul Aziz has challenged a public notice issued by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on December 24. In this, objections and suggestions were sought from the general public till January 1 regarding the demolition of the mosque.
A vacation bench of Justice Manoj Jain listed the petition for hearing on January 8 after assurance from the NDMC counsel. Nothing will happen in the meantime, as the final decision on action has to be taken by the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC). NDMC’s counsel said, ‘Your Lordship can simply postpone it. Nothing is going to happen. The decision has to be taken by HCC, not us. We just want to ask for suggestions. “I can’t even touch a brick without HCC’s permission,” he said.
Counsel for the petitioner said he was not pressing for an interim order at this stage and argued that the law does not give the NDMC the power to remove a heritage structure. He said, ‘The court can list the petition before the roster bench. Let them take instructions. I am not asking for any stay order. The court questioned the authority of the Imam to file the petition instead of the Delhi Waqf Board.
Imam’s lawyer said he has filed the petition to protect his congregation, as Sunehri Bagh Masjid is a functioning mosque. The petitioner said in his petition that the mosque is more than 150 years old and is a heritage building, which is a symbol of cultural heritage.