In a decisive turn in the Sanjauli Mosque dispute, a Shimla court on Saturday ordered the demolition of the remaining two lower floors of the mosque, declaring the entire structure as illegally built. The ruling was issued after the Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s Court found that the Waqf Board had failed to produce critical documents establishing ownership or construction approval.
The Waqf Board was required to present architectural plans and proof of legal possession of the land where the mosque stands. However, during the court proceedings, the Board’s legal counsel failed to submit the necessary documentation.
“The mosque has existed here since before 1947. The current structure merely replaced the original building,” the lawyer argued.
The court, however, rejected this defence, questioning why the Waqf Board did not seek necessary permissions or submit building plans to the Municipal Corporation if the mosque was reconstructed after 1947.
“No permissions were taken, no map was approved, and yet a multi-storied building was constructed. This decision upholds the law and the rights of local residents who have been raising concerns for years,” said Jagat Pal, advocate representing the local residents.
Commissioner Confirms Verdict
Municipal Commissioner Bhupinder Atri announced the court’s verdict after a 45-minute hearing earlier in the day. The decision concluded that the mosque structure violated municipal norms and must be completely demolished.
Background & Impact
The mosque, located in the Sanjauli area of Shimla, has been at the center of a dispute between local residents and the Waqf Board, with allegations of unauthorized construction dating back several years. While the Board maintained the structure had religious and historical roots, the lack of legal paperwork and building permits weakened their claim.
The verdict is expected to stir debate over urban regulation enforcement on religious properties, especially those with historical claims. It may also trigger wider scrutiny of unauthorized religious constructions across the region.