Shimla Court Orders Demolition of Entire Illegal Structure of Sanjauli Mosque Within Two Months

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District Judge Confirms Building Stands on Government Land; Wakf Board and Mosque Committee to Bear Demolition Costs if Non-Compliant

Shimla: In a landmark ruling, the District Court of Shimla has directed the Himachal Pradesh Wakf Board and the Sanjauli Mosque Committee to demolish all unauthorized portions of the controversial five-storey Sanjauli Mosque within two months. The order further states that if the demolition is not carried out within the stipulated time, the Shimla Municipal Corporation will undertake the demolition at the expense of the Wakf Board and the Mosque Committee.

The judgment was delivered by Additional District Judge Yajuvendra Singh on Saturday.

Court’s Observations

The court noted that earlier, the Sanjauli Mosque Committee had voluntarily agreed to remove the upper three floors — the second, third, and fourth — and this proposal had been accepted by the Municipal Commissioner’s Court on October 5, 2023. However, despite this agreement, the Municipal Corporation informed the District Court that only the fourth floor was fully removed, the third floor slab was demolished, but columns above the second floor were still standing.

The court emphasized that the control and permission for mosque construction rested solely with the Wakf Board, and that the Commissioner’s Court had given both appellants sufficient opportunity to present their case.

Land Ownership and Legality

In his detailed judgment, Judge Singh stated that revenue records clearly indicate the land on which the mosque was built does not belong to the Wakf Board, but remains registered in the name of the State Government. Furthermore, the land falls well within the jurisdiction of the Shimla Municipal Corporation, thereby making it subject to all municipal building laws and approval provisions.

Appeal and Future Action

Reacting to the verdict, Mohammad Latif, President of the Sanjauli Mosque Committee, said, “We will file an appeal in the High Court, and if required, we will also approach the Supreme Court.”

The District Court dismissed the appeals filed by the Wakf Board and the Committee, thereby upholding the order of the Municipal Commissioner’s Court issued on May 3, which mandated the demolition of the remaining two floors — the ground and first floors — of the mosque. The court found the Commissioner’s decision to be based on proper evaluation of facts and free from any illegality.

Background: How the Dispute Began

According to municipal records, the mosque’s illegal construction began in 2010. Initially, the Sanjauli Mosque Committee demolished the old single-storey mosque and reconstructed a ground floor structure of 117.37 square meters, based on a building plan that was never approved by the Municipal Corporation. Subsequently, four additional floors were added without authorization, leading to repeated complaints and legal proceedings.

Significance of the Verdict

This ruling marks a major step in enforcing urban building laws in Shimla and reaffirms the principle of accountability, even for religious and institutional bodies. The court’s directive underscores that no construction — religious or otherwise — is above the rule of law.

Headline Options:

1. Shimla Court Orders Demolition of Illegal Five-Storey Sanjauli Mosque Within Two Months
2. Wakf Board and Mosque Committee to Bear Costs if Sanjauli Mosque Not Demolished on Time
3. Court Declares Sanjauli Mosque Built on Government Land; Orders Full Demolition

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