Delhi HC Denies Urgent Listing For Plea Challenging ASI's Order To Stop Namaz At Mughal Mosque

Delhi High Court had denied urgent listing of the plea challenging the order of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to stop offering namaz at the Mughal Mosque outside the Qutub Enclosure.

The matter was mentioned before the Bench comprising of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri and Justice Poonam A. Bamba.

Advocate M. Sufiyan Siddiqui mentioned the matter on behalf of the Managing Committee of the Mughal Mosque.

Advocate Siddiqui submitted that Namaz was regularly performed at the said Mosque and has never been closed for worship, however, the officials of ASI in an absolutely unlawful, arbitrary and precipitous manner completely stopped the Namaz on May 13, 2022, that too without serving any 'notice or order'.

It was also submitted before the Court that the fundamental rights of the worshippers stand violated on a continuous basis, and to ensure that the primacy of 'Rule of Law' is preserved and upheld, this matter may kindly be listed for urgent hearing.

However, the Court refused urgent listing of the matter.

The matter was earlier mentioned before the bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi who had asked for the matter to be mentioned before the Vacation bench.