The Shimla Municipal Commissioner’s court has ordered the removal of three unauthorised floors from the mosque in Sanjauli, Himachal Pradesh, giving the Waqf Board a two-month deadline to comply with the directive. The order specifically applies to the second, third, and fourth floors of the mosque, with the next hearing scheduled for December 21.
BS Thakur, the lawyer representing the Waqf Board, confirmed that both the mosque committee and the Waqf Board are responsible for carrying out the demolition at their own expense. “The two-month timeframe has been set for the demolition. A decision regarding the remaining portions of the building will be made later. The mosque committee has assured that they will proceed with the demolition of the top three floors,” Thakur stated.
In response to the ruling, Latif Negi, chairman of the mosque committee, expressed respect for the court’s decision regarding the unauthorised floors. “We respect the court order and had previously indicated in writing our willingness to demolish the unauthorised structures. We will not contest this decision in court,” Negi remarked.
Additionally, the Muslim Welfare Committee has also offered to handle the demolition of the unauthorised floors themselves.
This ruling comes amid ongoing protests from Hindu organizations against the unauthorised construction of the mosque, which have intensified calls for the removal of the illegal floors.
