The Waqf Masjid High Court and the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board had moved the Supreme Court against the High Court’s decision. , Photo Credit: RV Murthy
The Supreme Court on March 13 dismissed special leave petitions challenging the Allahabad High Court’s 2017 decision to remove a mosque from the High Court premises.
The High Court had ordered the removal of the mosque to utilize the land for its own use/expansion.
A division bench led by Justice MR Shah, while affirming the High Court’s judgement, observed that “the disputed property was essential for a public purpose” and gave concrete reasons for the move.
The High Court had given three months time to the mosque authorities to vacate the premises.
The Waqf Masjid High Court and the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board had moved the top court against the High Court’s decision.
The top court had on March 13 given three more months to vacate the premises.
It also gave liberty to the petitioners to file a detailed representation seeking allotment of an alternate nearby site, if available, for the construction of a mosque, provided such alternate land is not earmarked for “any other public purpose, present or in future”. Do not be determined for
If the disputed construction is not removed within the next three months, the authorities including the High Court can remove it.
The apex court’s division bench, also comprising Justice CT Ravikumar, based its decision on the fact that the mosque was located on government leased land and the grant was canceled in 2002.
The apex court also took note of the fact that it had in 2012 confirmed the restitution of land in favor of the High Court.