Sanjauli Mosque: Shimla court dismisses plea of ​​Muslim organization against order to demolish 3 floors

Shimla: A district court on Saturday dismissed a plea filed by the All Himachal Muslim Organization challenging the October 5 order of the municipal commissioner’s court to demolish three “illegally” constructed floors of the Sanjauli mosque. All Himachal Muslim Organization (AHMO) advisor Vishwa Bhushan told reporters that their application has been rejected and a detailed order is awaited.

On September 11, violent protests broke out due to the demand to demolish the allegedly illegal part of the mosque. Several Hindu groups and local residents took part in the protests.

A day later, Latif Mohammad, who claimed to be the president of the Sanjauli Mosque Committee, and others proposed to demolish three “unauthorized” floors of the mosque and sought permission from the municipal commissioner.

On October 5, the municipal commissioner’s court allowed the demolition of the three illegally constructed floors and gave two months to complete the work, after which AHMO appealed the order to the district court, arguing that Latif was not authorized to represent the interests of the mosque’s demolition.

On November 22, the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board produced a document dated 2006 in the district court under which Latif Mohammad was appointed president of the Sanjauli Mosque Committee.

Latif also claimed that “I was the president of the Sanjauli Mosque Committee since 2006 and the municipal commissioner’s court also notified me as the president in September.” Meanwhile, Latif said, “We have filed an appeal in the Commissioner’s Court that due to lack of manpower, the demolition work of the remaining floors will not be able to start until March.” According to him, most of the workers have left for their native places, and dismantling works also depend on weather conditions in winter.

“However, whatever decision the court makes, we will accept it,” he said.

Previously, dismantling works began with the removal of roofs.