Delhi HC Seeks NDMC's Response On Plea Challenging Demolition Of A Mosque
The Delhi High Court has directed the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to submit its response in a petition filed by the Delhi Waqf Board (DWB) against the notice of demolition of a mosque located at the Sunehri Bagh Road roundabout.
The High Court has also directed the NDMC to conduct another joint inspection of the mosque in the presence of the members of the DWB and submit the report along with NDMC's response.
Justice Prateek Jalan observed, "At this stage, learned counsel for the parties agree that a further inspection may be carried out in the presence of the representatives of the petitioner so that the petitioner’s views can also be taken into account".
The petitioner's counsel, Advocate Wajeeh Shafia, argued that the members were unable to attend the joint inspection because the communication was only received by the relevant officer after the inspection had already taken place.
Advocate Harsha Peechara, appearing on behalf of the NDMC, contended that NDMC received a request from the Additional Commissioner of Police Traffic to assess the redesign of the concerned roundabout for invoking traffic engineering interventions and therefore NDMC arranged a joint inspection.
"The parties are directed to hold a joint inspection on 12.07.2023 at 3:00 PM and may also fix any further inspection as deemed necessary. The NDMC is at liberty to give notice of the proposed inspection to any other authority as it may consider necessary," the bench held.
The Court ordered that the status quo be maintained in respect of the property in question till the next date of hearing.
Accordingly, the Court listed the matter for August 14, 2023.
Cause Title: Delhi Waqf Board v. New Delhi Municipal Council & Anr
