In a major win for the locals fighting against illegal Masjids all across Himachal Pradesh, the Municipal Corporation Court in Shimla has declared the entire structure of the Sanjauli Masjid as illegal, ordering its demolition. The court held that the Masjid built in the Sanjauli area had been constructed without the necessary permissions, including a valid building permit, a No Objection Certificate (NOC), and a sanctioned map. It was done in violation of municipal regulations. Strikingly, the court order applies to all the four floors of the Masjid.
The ground and first floors, which were spared from demolition drive earlier, have now been deemed illegal by the Municipal Corporation Court.
In its earlier order dated 5th October 2024, the court had directed the demolition of the second, third, and fourth floors.
Counsel for the locals seeking demolition of illegal structures, Jagat Pal confirmed that this decision is part of a broader process mandated by the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Earlier, the state High Court had asked the Municipal Commissioner to resolve the issue within six weeks, resulting in today’s verdict.
Sanjauli Masjid: The issue of land ownership
Overseeing the management of the Muslim religious properties, Himachal Pradesh failed to give any valid documentation to prove its ownership of the disputed land over the past 15 years.
The Board neither obtained a tax NOC from the Municipal Corporation nor submit any legitimate documents to support its claim in the court, casting doubt on the mosque’s construction and ownership.
According to the court, the original structure was demolished without the required permission. The new construction was also carried out unlawfully and it was done in violation of the provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act.
The new structure was built on the disputed land without complying to the necessary legal and regulatory processes, which the court held as a blatant violation of municipal laws.