District court refuses stay in Sanjauli mosque case

The District Court has declined the All Himachal Muslim Organisation to grant stay orders against Commissioner’s Court’s decision to raze the top three floors of a mosque in Sanjauli.

The court today heard the appeal filed by the organisation’s representative Nazakat Ali Hashmi in which he had challenged the decision of Commissioner’s Court that was taken on October 5. The organisation had argued that it had donated funds for the construction of the mosque, therefore he is aggrieved. It was also argued that Muhammad Latif, who is the president of Sanjauli Mosque Committee, was not an authorized person. Therefore, he cannot offer to raze the top three floors of the mosque.

The next hearing of the case has been scheduled for November 11.

Advocate Jagal Pal, who is representing the local residents, said that Nazakat Ali Hashmi, who has filed the petition on behalf of the organisation, is not the stakeholder nor is he the victim in the case.

He said that the Honorable High Court had also directed to settle this matter within eight weeks. Therefore, the matter should be decided soon.

In October, the All Himachal Muslim Organization had held a meeting in Shimla after Commissioner’s Court’s decision. During the meeting, the organisation decided to challenge the decision of Commissioner’s Court. At that time, Hashmi had stated that the organisation will challenge the order in the court of appellate authority and go to the Supreme Court, if necessary.