‘Mosque has no legal claim,’ AAI tells HC against masjid in airport

Kolkata: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has told the Calcutta High Court that the land housing the 136-year-old Bankra mosque inside Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport was acquired by the Central Government decades ago, intensifying the dispute over the suspension of prayers at the site, a report by Maktoob Media said.

The submission came while the Bankra Masjid Committee sought interim permission to resume prayers, particularly Friday prayers. Public access to the mosque was suspended in July following security objections from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). AAI said the land was acquired for airport expansion under a 1961 notification, and compensation was paid to affected residents. It argued that the right to practise religion does not create a right to worship at a particular location, especially where aviation security is involved.

The Centre also opposed interim relief, maintaining that national security must take precedence. Authorities said the mosque’s location within the airport’s operational area and near the runway creates security and flight-operation concerns. They also argued that the Places of Worship Act does not apply to the dispute and said an alternative site had been offered in Jessore for relocation.

West Bengal’s government similarly argued that the land had been acquired by the government and backed the authorities’ security concerns.

The mosque committee has disputed the claims, maintaining that devotees had accessed the mosque for decades without security problems. Before the restriction, around 70 devotees were reportedly permitted to pray daily in controlled groups after security checks.

The case has also drawn attention to broader aviation security concerns, with the court referring to the recent flydubai cockpit incident during earlier hearings.

The Calcutta High Court will hear the matter again on October 9.