A Shimla court has recently denied a request from local residents seeking to become parties in the ongoing Sanjauli mosque case.
The application, filed on November 11 in the court of the Additional District Judge, aimed to add residents to a case involving the proposed demolition of three unauthorized floors of the five-story Sanjauli mosque.
The court is currently assessing the admissibility of an appeal by the All Himachal Muslim Organisation (AHMO). This appeal challenges an October 5 order issued by the Municipal Commissioner’s Court, which granted a two-month period for the demolition of the mosque’s unauthorized floors.
Representing the residents, Advocate Jagat Pal submitted a 25-page document in support of the residents’ request to be included as parties.
However, following the court’s rejection of their application, he noted that this outcome would likely have little bearing on the broader case.
The court scheduled the next hearing for November 18, where discussions on the mosque’s partial demolition will proceed.
The issue gained attention on September 11, when a protest calling for the demolition of a section of the mosque in Shimla’s Sanjauli area led to injuries for ten individuals. Responding to the public concern, Latif Mohammad, the president of the Sanjauli mosque, along with other representatives from the Muslim community, proposed to voluntarily demolish the unauthorized floors.
This offer prompted the Municipal Commissioner’s Court to authorize the demolition, which AHMO subsequently contested through an appeal.
As the case moves forward, the court’s decision on the appeal could set a significant precedent on building regulations, municipal authority, and community engagement in urban development issues within Shimla.
