Court halts construction of mosque in Phagwara, citing legal violations

A local court in Phagwara has ordered a halt to the construction of a mosque in Amar Nagar, located on Kothran Road (Kaulsar), citing violations of legal and municipal norms. The decision followed a petition filed by the Amar Nagar Resident Welfare Society, which objected to the alleged use of residential plots for religious construction.

According to case number CS/80/2020, filed on 9 March 2020, the petitioners contended that preparations were underway to construct a mosque on land designated for residential purposes. After detailed hearings, the court ruled in favour of the petitioners and issued clear directives restraining the defendants from proceeding with construction.

Under the court’s orders, the Masjid-e-Hamza Intazamia Welfare Society and other defendants are strictly prohibited from constructing the mosque. The court further declared that organising religious gatherings without prior approval from municipal authorities would be considered illegal.

The ruling also imposes restrictions on activities such as animal slaughter and the use of public sound systems, including loudspeakers, without due permission. The court emphasised that any future use of the disputed site would require approval from the Phagwara Municipal Corporation, named as a respondent in the case.

The judgment was delivered on 16 February 2026 by Jaswinder Singh, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Phagwara. However, members of the Resident Welfare Society have alleged that, despite the court orders, the administration has failed to enforce the directives fully.

They claimed that unauthorised activities continue on a daily basis, with large gatherings reportedly taking place every Friday in direct violation of the ruling. The society further alleged that certain members of a non-local migrant community, under a planned arrangement, registered residential plots in the committee’s name and subsequently constructed a small structure now used for religious purposes.

Residents have urged the municipal authorities to strictly implement the court’s orders and reject any building plans submitted under the committee’s name. They stressed that firm action is necessary to maintain peace and law and order in the area.

Warning of further legal recourse, the society members stated that if authorities fail to act, they would be compelled to file a contempt petition for non-compliance with the court’s directives.