Shimla court rejects suit of Muslim org against decision to destroy 3 levels of Sanjauli mosque

Shimla's Additional District and Sessions Judge Praveen Garg dismissed the plea of All Himachal Muslim Organisation (AHMO) on Saturday, which was challenging the Municipal Commissioner's Court's October 5 order to demolish three "illegally" built levels of Sanjauli mosque.

The Muslim organisation also questioned the authority of Mohammed Latif, head of the Sanjauli mosque committee, who told Shimla Municipal Commissioner Bhupender Attri on September 12 that the committee was ready to demolish the mosque's illegal component.

“The court has dismissed our plea. We are yet to receive copy of the detailed order. After reading the order, we will decide the further course of action,” said Advocate Vishav Bhushan, who represented AHMO.

Latif, who was present in the court when the decision was announced, said: “The mosque committee is bound to demolish the illegal structure. We have demolished one floor. However, the demolition work was stopped due to shortage of labour. We have informed the court of the MC Commissioner in writing about the same. We informed the court of MC Commissioner that demolition work will be completed after March 2024. There is a time frame from the side of Himachal Pradesh High Court for demolishing all illegal structures by December 20.”