The Waqf Board informed a Shimla court on Saturday that it owns the mosque in Sanjauli Colony, with the dispute focusing on its further development rather than ownership
The Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s court, which is handling the case, has scheduled the next hearing for October 5.
In 2023, the court issued a notice to the Waqf Board, which submitted a response through its counsel. The controversy over the mosque, which has been ongoing for 14 years, intensified after local residents, demanding its demolition due to alleged unauthorized construction, staged mass protests following an incident where a businessman was reportedly attacked by Muslim youths.
Advocate Jagat Pal, representing the local residents, argued that the mosque’s construction is illegal and called for its demolition. He stated that the Waqf Board was added to the case only in 2023, and the court has now requested a status report on the construction. According to Pal, the Waqf Board failed to provide proof of ownership, and the Revenue Department’s records show that the land belongs to the state.
Waqf Board State Officer Kutubuddin Ahmed clarified that the dispute centers on the shrine’s further development, not ownership. He cited records indicating that the Waqf Board became the landowner when Shimla was part of Punjab, and emphasized that prayers will continue at the mosque.
Amid the ongoing controversy, Hindu Jagran Manch and other Hindu groups have protested, demanding the mosque’s demolition. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has called for respect for all religions and warned that while peaceful protests are allowed, no one will be permitted to break the law.
(With inputs from agency)
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