Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Shimla Court Orders Demolition of Sanjauli Mosque
A court in Shimla has said that a mosque called the Sanjauli Mosque must be torn down.
The people who manage the mosque and a group called the Waqf Board tried to stop this, but they didn't have good proof that the mosque was built legally.
The court agreed with the city's decision that the mosque is illegal.
It also said that both the mosque managers and the Waqf Board are responsible for this illegal building.
Last year, people living in the area protested and asked for the mosque to be demolished because they thought it was built incorrectly.
The court's final decision is that the entire six-story building must be removed.
The District Court in Shimla upheld the Municipal Corporation's order for the demolition of the entire six-storey Sanjauli Mosque.
The Waqf Board and Sanjauli Mosque Committee's plea against the demolition order was dismissed by the court.
The court found the Waqf Board failed to provide sufficient documents and evidence to support the legality of the disputed structure.
Both the Waqf Board and the Mosque Committee have been held jointly responsible for the illegal construction.
Previous orders included demolishing parts of the mosque, but the latest ruling mandates the demolition of the entire structure.
- Who
- District Court in Shimla, Waqf Board, Sanjauli Mosque Committee, Shimla Municipal Corporation
- What
- The District Court upheld the Municipal Corporation's order to demolish the six-storey Sanjauli Mosque.
- When
- The verdict was pronounced on Thursday, October 30th. Previous orders were issued on May 3rd and October 5th.
- Where
- Sanjauli, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
- Why
- The mosque was declared illegal, and the Waqf Board failed to provide adequate documentation or evidence to prove its legality.
Waqf Board and Sanjauli Mosque Committee
Shimla Municipal Corporation and District Court
Legality of the Mosque
Waqf Board and Sanjauli Mosque Committee
Contested the Municipal Corporation's order and sought to prevent the demolition, but failed to provide sufficient evidence.
Shimla Municipal Corporation and District Court
Ordered the demolition of the entire six-storey mosque, deeming it illegal due to lack of proper documentation.
Responsibility for Illegal Construction
Waqf Board and Sanjauli Mosque Committee
Were found to be jointly responsible for the illegal construction.
Shimla Municipal Corporation and District Court
Found the Waqf Board and Mosque Committee jointly responsible, emphasizing the Municipal Commissioner's order was fact-based.
- Court Ruling
- District court upheld the Municipal Corporation's order to demolish the six-storey Sanjauli Mosque.
- Reason for Demolition
- The mosque was deemed illegal, and the Waqf Board failed to provide sufficient evidence to support its legality.
- Court's Finding
- The Municipal Commissioner's order was based on facts and not challenged by the Waqf Board or Mosque Committee. Both are held jointly responsible for the illegal construction.
- Appeal Status
- The Waqf Board and Mosque Committee's pleas were dismissed by the District Court.
- Public Reaction
- Locals previously protested demanding the demolition of the illegal mosque.
Sources
Sanjauli Mosque demolition case: District court upholds MC Commissioner’s order to demolish entire structure
Court Upholds Decision To Raze Entire Structure Of Shimla's Sanjauli Mosque
Shimla court orders demolition of mosque amid protests
Shimla Court upholds Municipal Corporation’s order to demolish Sanjauli Mosque, Waqf Board failed to provide evidence to support legality of the disputed strucutre