The demolition of a heritage mosque near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence in Delhi was put on hold for four weeks after the authorities told the Delhi High Court that they would not take any coercive action against the structure during the period, The Indian Express reported on Thursday.
On October 19, the mosque received an eviction notice stating that the structure stands on government land and is “unauthorised”. The Land and Development Office had directed the mosque authorities to vacate the premises within six days.
The supply of electricity and water had also been disconnected, the mosque authorities said at the time.
The Land and Development Office functions under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and is responsible for managing government-owned and leasehold properties, particularly in Delhi.
The notice to the mosque came amid a wider demolition drive in the Race Course Road area, where the prime minister’s official residence is located, including the removal of slum dwellers, The Wire had reported.
The Race Course mosque is listed as a heritage property on the New Delhi Municipal Council’s website.
On Thursday, the government informed the court that the Land and Development Office will decide on a representation by the Delhi Waqf Board during the four-week period.
However, the government opposed allowing access to the mosque, citing safety concerns because of the demolitions in the area,…
Source: Scroll.in
