Delhi HC questions Hindutva NGO over selective focus on mazars and dargahs
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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea by Save India Foundation, a Hindutva-linked NGO, that sought the removal of alleged encroachments on the Yamuna floodplains, including a mazar and three dargahs.
A bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela questioned the intent behind the petition, pointing to its repeated targeting of Muslim religious structures. “How do you selectively bring forth these petitions of dargahs allegedly encroaching? Do you not see other encroachments? Why are you identifying only mazars?” the Chief Justice asked.
The court observed that this was the fifth or sixth such petition from the same NGO. “We are not even suggesting remotely that this structure is lawful… but why specifically mazars? If you actually want to serve the public, there are many other ways… not only by seeking removal of such structures. Please ask your foundation to do something more than what they are doing… Please advise your foundation to do some better public work,” the bench remarked.
The court disposed of the case with directions to the authorities to examine the NGO’s representation and act according to law.
The petition was filed by Save India Foundation founder Preet Singh, who claimed the group was working to uphold citizens’ rights. Singh, however, faces multiple cases over hate speech and has been accused of spreading anti-Muslim content. He is currently on bail in one such case. In 2022, Singh and his group were booked for inflammatory speeches at the ‘Hindu Mahapanchayat’ in Burari. He had also organized a 2021 event at Jantar Mantar where anti-Muslim slogans were allegedly raised.
In the current PIL, Singh listed a mazar in Budh Vihar Phase 2 and three dargahs in Rohtak Road, Seelampur and Burari as illegal encroachments, alleging that government land had been taken over through “pseudo-religious structures.”
This is not the NGO’s first such case. In July, the High Court dismissed another PIL from the group concerning land in Bawana meant for a graveyard and cremation ground. Earlier in April, a similar plea alleging encroachment by a mosque and shops on MCD school land in Wazirpur was also disposed of, with directions to the civic body to verify the claims.
Court records show Save India Foundation has filed 20 petitions in 2025 alone, most targeting alleged encroachments in Delhi, with a particular focus on Muslim institutions. Several earlier petitions remain pending.