Shimla civic body court’s decision on controversial Sanjauli mosque today

The Shimla Municipal Commissioner’s Court is likely to take a decision on the controversial Sanjauli mosque on Saturday. During the last hearing on September 7, the commissioner’s court had directed the Junior Engineer concerned and Waqf Board to file a fresh status report.

Meanwhile, Hindu outfits have threatened to launch a ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ from October 5 if the decision to demolish the structure was not taken during the hearing. The case is being heard in the court since 2010.

A controversy had erupted when a local was injured in a fight with a person from the minority community in the Malyana area of Shimla last month. This had sparked an outrage among the locals. The issue of ‘unauthorised’ construction of the mosque in Sanajuli took the centre stage with protests seeking its demolition held across the state.

The Hindu outfits were claiming that the mosque was illegal and should be razed immediately. They had also expressed concern over the increase in the number of unidentified migrants in the area. Advocate Jagat Pal who is representing the locals in the case said though the Waqf Board had claimed ownership of the mosque site, it was unable to present any evidence in the court.

Meanwhile, the Waqf Board officials said the case was not about the ownership, but the development of the mosque. They said the mosque was not illegal as it had been present in the area since Independence.