Delhi HC halts eviction of century-old waqf graveyard in Civil Lines

The Delhi High Court has restrained the Centre from taking possession of a century-old graveyard in the capital's Civil Lines area, ordering authorities to maintain the existing status quo until the next hearing in March 2027.

The order came after the management of Qabristan Bagh Sher Jung challenged an eviction notice issued by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) on October 22, asserting government ownership over the 17-acre property.

The graveyard, situated between Ludlow Castle Road and Under Hill Road, houses a mosque, shrines and a madrasa. It is managed by Anjuman Wakil-i-Quam Punjabian, a charitable society that has been in existence since before 1910. The property was declared Waqf land in 1970.

The L&DO had directed four alleged encroachers to vacate the premises within 15 days, warning of forcible possession in case of non-compliance. However, the management disputes the government's claim over the entire plot.

The ownership dispute dates back to 1971, when the Centre approached a civil court claiming that the land had been acquired during Delhi's development between 1911 and 1915. In 1985, a district court rejected the government's ownership claim, citing incomplete acquisition procedures. The management maintains that the ruling was never challenged.

The development comes amid eviction and demolition actions targeting several properties in Lutyens' Delhi, including a heritage mosque near the Prime Minister's residence.