Sunahari Bagh Mosque matter: NDMC says objection will be considered; Delhi HC disposes of Imam's plea

Jul 24, 2024

New Delhi [India], July 25 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday disposed of a plea moved by Sunahari Bagh Road Mosque Imam Abdul Aziz regarding a public notice issued by the NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) inviting objections and suggestions for the removal of the mosque.
This comes after NDMC informed the Delhi High Court that the public objections against the proposed removal of Sunehri Bagh mosque will be considered in accordance with the law.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav disposed of the plea on Wednesday after noting the submissions that the objections raised by the petitioner, Imam, will be considered before making any final decision.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma appeared for NDMC and submitted that the objections by the petitioner and the general public will be considered as per law before making any final decision. The concerned authority is seized of the matter, therefore, no cause arises.
Senior counsel for the Imam had submitted that he would withdraw the petition. If concerned, authority is directed to decide the objection as per law.
After noting the submissions, the bench disposed of the petition. The bench said that the concerned authority has to consider the objections and suggestions received from the public.
Imam Abdul Aziz had challenged the public notice issued by the NDMC on December 24, 2023.
The NDMC sought an opinion on the demolition of the 150-year-old Sunahari Bagh Mosque.
Advocate Shoaib Ahmed, counsel for petitioner Abdul Aziz, told ANI that the court has disposed of the plea after noting the submissions by the NDMC that our objections will be considered before arriving at any final decision.
Imam Abdul Aziz had challenged the notice and said that it had been issued without application of mind and without any research.
During the hearing, ASG submitted that several objections have been received and will be dealt with as per law. He also said that the petitioner has no locus to file the petition. Only the Delhi Waqf Board can file it.
Justice Kaurav said that any person can raise an objection as the notice issued by the NDMC was a public notice.
Earlier, Delhi police said that the petition has become infructuous as the matter relating to the removal has been forwarded to the Heritage Consecration Committee for its recommendation.
A public notice was published on December 24, 2023, seeking opinion on the demolition of Sunahari Bagh Mosque in order to ease traffic congestion at the site.