Delhi: Nizamuddin Markaz is a case property, and can't be fully reopened, the Centre told the Delhi High Court Friday, rejecting the plea by the Delhi Waqf Board for its reopening. It has been closed since March 3, 2020.
In light of recent guidelines issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri was hearing the Waqf Noard's request to reopen the place.
Advocate Wajeeh Shafiq, representing the Board, argued that the premises should be reopened for religious purposes due to the festival of Shab e-Barat and the approaching month of Ramzaan.
A lawyer representing the Centre, Rajat Nair, said five people could offer 'namaz' in the religious festival this year as well.
As the court received the Markaz attorney's request to place on record the DDMA order, it scheduled the hearing for 11 March.
After a spike of Covid positive cases occurred in the premises in 2020, the Nizamuddin Markaz was closed.