Court Orders Demolition of Sanjauli Mosque Floors in Shimla

A Shimla court has mandated the demolition of three upper floors of a disputed mosque in the Sanjauli area, concluding a contentious legal battle over unauthorized construction. The directive, issued by the Shimla Municipal Commissioner’s Court, must be executed by the Waqf Board and the mosque committee within two months, with both parties bearing the associated costs.

The dispute surrounding the mosque has been ongoing for over a decade. It began in 2010 when local authorities flagged the construction of an unauthorized single-storey structure. Despite notices and inspections, the building expanded to five floors. Public protests escalated tensions, culminating in legal intervention.

The order follows protests from local organizations alleging illegal construction. Demonstrations turned violent earlier this year, injuring several people. In response, the mosque committee expressed willingness to address the issue, including dismantling the contested sections. This cooperative stance was acknowledged by the court, which declined pleas from third parties seeking to join the litigation.