5 days ago
Allahabad High Court Reviews Saharanpur Mosque Demolition Dispute
The Allahabad High Court is reviewing a case about a mosque demolished in Saharanpur.
The mosque stood inside the Saharanpur District Collectorate premises.
A mosque committee representative asked the court to stop further action.
The court asked the state government to explain its position within three weeks.
It also temporarily stopped the government from collecting Rs 6.41 crore in damages.
Lower courts had ordered the mosque’s removal over alleged encroachment and misuse of government land.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 12.
Asaduddin Owaisi said the demolition harmed religious freedom and argued that the mosque had legal protection as Waqf property.
The Allahabad High Court sought the state government’s counter-affidavit within three weeks.
The court stayed recovery of Rs 6.41 crore in damages until further orders.
The petition was filed by Mohammad Tanveer Ahmed, the mosque committee’s mutawalli.
The Saharanpur Collectorate Mosque was demolished on September 5 after lower courts upheld its removal.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the demolition and questioned the legality of the Waqf Act amendment.
- Who
- The Allahabad High Court, the state government, Mohammad Tanveer Ahmed and the mosque committee are involved; Asaduddin Owaisi also criticized the demolition.
- What
- The court sought the state’s response and stayed recovery of Rs 6.41 crore in damages in a challenge to the mosque’s demolition.
- Where
- The mosque was located within the Saharanpur District Collectorate premises, and the case was heard in Prayagraj.
- When
- The mosque was demolished on September 5; the next hearing is scheduled for October 12.
- Why
- The demolition followed orders concerning alleged encroachment and misuse of government land; the mosque committee is challenging the action.
Petitioners and Critics
Demolition Authorities’ Position
Legality of the mosque
Petitioners and Critics
The mosque committee argues that further action should be restrained. Asaduddin Owaisi said the mosque was registered Waqf property and had legal protection.
Demolition Authorities’ Position
The City Magistrate ordered demolition and imposed compensation over alleged encroachment and misuse of government land; a District Judge’s court upheld that order on appeal.
Property and religious freedom
Petitioners and Critics
Owaisi said the demolition reflected hostility toward freedom of religion and claimed the land had been donated by a local Muslim family for both a mosque and a temple.
Demolition Authorities’ Position
The courts’ reported orders treated the structure as involving unauthorized use of government land, leading to its removal and the damages claim.
Waqf Act amendment
Petitioners and Critics
Owaisi called the amendment introduced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government unconstitutional, flawed and objectionable.
Demolition Authorities’ Position
The article does not report a response from the government or authorities to Owaisi’s criticism.
Key facts
- Court
- Allahabad High Court
- Petitioner
- Mohammad Tanveer Ahmed, mutawalli of the mosque committee
- Damages
- Rs 6.41 crore
- Response deadline
- The state government must file a counter-affidavit within three weeks
- Demolition date
- September 5
- Next hearing
- October 12
- Lower-court basis
- Alleged encroachment and misuse of government land
Quotes
Asaduddin Owaisi
AIMIM chief who criticized the Saharanpur mosque demolition
“The new amendment to the Waqf Act introduced by the PM Modi government is unconstitutional, flawed, and objectionable... If, hypothetically, a structure is built on government land and remains there for 30 years, the occupant acquires rights through adverse possession.”
republicworld.com
“...When the mosque was constructed, a local Muslim family donated land for both the mosque and the temple. That mosque is a registered Waqf property and enjoys legal protection.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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