Shimla MC Court orders demolition of illegal mosque floors

In a significant ruling today, the Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Court of Shimla has ordered the demolition of the top three floors of the Sanjauli mosque, following a request from the mosque’s construction and development committee. This decision comes after months of public debate and concern over unauthorized constructions in the city.

A third-party petitioner, seeking involvement in the case, had their application dismissed by the court, allowing the focus to remain on the central issue: the illegal construction of the mosque. Built without proper approvals from the Shimla Municipal Corporation, the mosque had become a subject of controversy, drawing attention from various quarters.

Today’s hearing saw both sides present their arguments, with the court reserving its decision on the third-party petition until 4 pm, before ultimately rejecting it. A key piece of evidence was a report from a Junior Engineer from the Municipal Corporation, who inspected and measured the mosque’s construction. This report became pivotal in the court’s decision to greenlight the demolition.

The order specifically pertains to the demolition of the second and third floors, which were constructed without the necessary permits from the municipal authorities. Municipal Commissioner Bhupinder Attri, who presided over the case, dismissed the third-party petition and set the next hearing for December 21, where the court will address any remaining issues.

Notably, the mosque’s construction committee itself had requested permission to demolish the unauthorized floors, acknowledging that the structure was built without the required permits during the previous BJP administration. This gesture, coupled with today’s ruling, marks a significant step toward resolving the long-standing dispute.

The Shimla Municipal Corporation has been under pressure to address unauthorized constructions across the city, regardless of religious affiliations. However, this case is unique as it marks the first time that a court has ordered the demolition of a religious structure based on the request of its own managing committee.

This ruling sends a strong message about the city’s commitment to enforcing laws against illegal constructions. While the next hearing on December 21 will continue to address other aspects of the case, today’s decision represents a crucial move in upholding the law and restoring order in the city’s development process.