‘Cannot disconnect water, power to Race Court Masjid’: Delhi HC

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday questioned the disconnection of electricity and water to the Race Course Masjid without prior notice, observing that such action could not be taken arbitrarily against a property notified under relevant statutes, The Indian Express reported.

A division bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Renu Bhatnagar issued notice to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Delhi Waqf Board, seeking their responses within two weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for December 14.

The court was hearing an appeal filed by the mosque's imam, Md Haroon, challenging an October 15 single-judge order that refused to restore the utility connections.

Appearing for the imam, advocate M Sufian Siddiqui argued that the mosque was not a party to the earlier proceedings concerning the removal of alleged encroachments from three jhuggi clusters near the Prime Minister's residence. He contended that the authorities could not rely on those proceedings to justify cutting off the mosque's water and electricity supply without following the prescribed procedures.

The mosque is situated within the 53-acre Race Course Club complex near 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. It is a Waqf-notified property and a Grade II heritage structure notified in 2009.

The dispute has intensified amid the Centre's reclamation of nearby land parcels, triggering concerns over the mosque's possible demolition. On October 29, the Centre had assured the High Court that it would consider the Delhi Waqf Board's representation within four weeks and take no coercive action against the mosque in the meantime.