Delhi High Court asks DDA to explain demolition of 600-year-old mosque and madrasa in Mehrauli

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ordered the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to explain why the 600-year-old Akhoondji mosque in Delhi was demolished allegedly without giving any notice.

Justice Sachin Datta ordered the DDA to file a reply within a week explaining the action it took, the basis of the action and whether any prior notice was given before razing the property.

“Let the DDA file its reply within a period of one week clearly setting out the action that has been taken in respect of the concerned property and the basis thereof and as to whether any prior notice was given before taking the demolition action,” the Court ordered.

The case will be considered next on February 12.

The Court passed the order while dealing with an application moved by the Delhi Waqf Board in an already pending petition filed in the year 2022 regarding the structure.

According to news reports, the mosque and the Behrul Uloom madrasa in Mehrauli were demolished early morning on January 30 by the DDA.

Locals claimed that the mosque was built nearly 600-700 years ago during the Delhi sultanate period.

While the Court was hearing the case on Wednesday, the DDA counsel told the Court that the demolition action was taken pursuant to the recommendations of the Religious Committee dated January 4.

It was further stated that the Religious Committee did afford an opportunity of hearing to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Delhi Waqf Board.

However, the argument was contested by the counsel for Delhi Waqf Board which argued that the Religious Committee has no jurisdiction to order any demolition action.

Advocate Shams Khwaja appeared for the Delhi Waqf Board.

Additional Standing Counsel Avishkar Singhvi along with advocates Naved Ahmed, Vivek Kr Singh and Deokinandan Sharma represented the GNCTD.

DDA was represented through its Standing Counsel Sanjay Katyal as well as advocate Nihal Singh. 

[Read Order]