The Delhi High Court has ordered the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to explain the demolition of the 600-year-old Akhoondji mosque in Delhi without 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 reviewed on February 12.
The Court passed the order while dealing with an application filed by the Delhi Waqf Board in an already pending petition filed in 2022 regarding the structure.
The DDA demolished both the mosque and Behrul Uloom madrasa in Mehrauli early on January 30, as per news reports.
According to locals, the mosque was constructed around 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.
The Religious Committee gave the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Delhi Waqf Board an opportunity to hear, as stated.
However, the argument was contested by the counsel for Delhi Waqf Board, who argued that the Religious Committee has no jurisdiction to order any demolition action.
The Delhi Waqf Board was represented by Advocate Shams Khwaja.
Additional Standing Counsel Avishkar Singhvi, along with advocates Naved Ahmed, Vivek Kr Singh, and Deokinandan Sharma, represented the GNCTD.
DDA was represented by its Standing Counsel Sanjay Katyal as well as advocate Nihal Singh.