The Sessions Court in Shimla has extended the stay on the demolition orders for the controversial Sanjauli Mosque, accepting a plea filed by the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board. The court deemed the case worthy of further debate and scheduled the next hearing for July 5. Advocate B.S. Thakur, representing the Waqf Board, said the mosque cannot be demolished while the matter remains sub judice.
The case stems from a May 3 order issued by Shimla Municipal Commissioner Bhupendra Atri, declaring the mosque illegal and ordering the demolition of its two lower floors. This followed a previous order from October 5 last year, directing the demolition of the mosque’s upper three floors.
According to the Municipal Corporation, the Waqf Board failed to submit ownership documents and building blueprints despite repeated chances given. Citing the absence of valid paperwork, the Commissioner deemed the entire structure unauthorised.
In response, the Waqf Board filed an appeal challenging the May 3 demolition order, claiming ownership rights and arguing that the mosque has existed for decades. The Sessions Court had earlier stayed the demolition on May 25, a relief that now stands extended.
The Sanjauli mosque case has been under legal scrutiny for nearly 16 years, with over 50 hearings in the Municipal Commissioner’s Court. The High Court of Himachal Pradesh had recently directed the civic body to resolve the matter by May 8, warning of contempt proceedings if delayed. Acting on this, the Commissioner passed the demolition order on May 3.
The dispute gained public attention after a violent clash between two groups in Shimla’s Mehli area on August 31, 2024. The situation escalated after one group reportedly took shelter in the mosque, prompting large-scale protests by Hindu organisations. Tensions peaked on September 11 with violent demonstrations in Sanjauli, prompting the mosque committee to propose demolition of the unauthorised portion the following day, which helped ease the situation.
Hindu organisations have alleged that the mosque was built without legal permission and that the land does not belong to the Waqf Board. They claim that no clearance was obtained from the Municipal Corporation for its construction.
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