Delhi High Court orders status quo on demolished 600-year-old mosque site
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In a development regarding the demolition of the historic Akhondji mosque and Behrul Uloom madrasa in Delhi's Mehrauli neighbourhood, the Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to maintain the status quo on the disputed land.
This decision comes after the mosque, which is believed to be 600 years old, was bulldozed by the DDA on January 30, sparking widespread controversy.
The High Court's directive follows an urgent application filed by the managing committee of the Delhi Waqf Board, representing the interests of the mosque's Imam Zakir Hussain and his family, who were left without shelter after their home was also demolished.
During the court proceedings, Justice Sachin Datta ordered that the status quo be upheld until February 12, specifically pertaining to the land where the mosque once stood. However, he clarified that this order would not prevent the DDA from taking action in adjoining areas.
Advocate Sham Khwaja, representing the managing committee, raised concerns about the lack of prior notice from the DDA before the demolition and alleged damage to religious texts and belongings of madrasa students.
In response, the DDA's counsel, Sanjay Katyal, refuted these allegations, stating that all religious books were in the custody of officials and would be returned. He further argued that the demolition was carried out based on a recommendation from the Delhi government's religious committee, emphasizing that the matter should not be given a religious colour.
Khwaja countered by highlighting the objections raised by the Delhi Waqf Board's chief executive officer against the demolition recommendation.
The court had previously instructed the DDA to provide a detailed explanation of the actions taken regarding the property and whether any prior notice was given before the demolition.
According to records from the Archaeological Survey of India, while the exact construction date of the Akhondji mosque remains unknown, it underwent repairs around 1853 and is listed among the agency's 3,000 monuments dating back to 1920.
