SC contempt notice to UP over mosque demolition

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a contempt notice to the district magistrate of Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly razing a part of a mosque in violation of the court's November 2024 judgment, which barred demolition actions across the country without prior notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

- Utkarsh Anand

NEW DELHI:

A bench comprising justices Bhushan R Gavai and AG Masih also restrained the district administration from carrying out any demolition until the matter is heard on March 18.

The court noted the petitioners' claim that the structure in question stood on private land, was sanctioned by municipal authorities in 1999, and that an attempt to revoke the sanction was set aside by the high court nearly two decades ago.

The bench was told by senior counsel Huzefa Ahmadi, representing petitioner Azmatunnisa, one of the people who had reportedly donated land for the construction of the mosque at the site, that a subdivisional magistrate inspected the site in December 2024, concluding that the construction was in accordance with the sanctioned plan, and that any unauthorised portion had already been removed by the petitioners.

"It is submitted that in these premises, the demolition which was made is in egregious contempt of the directions issued by this court. Issue notice as to why proceedings for contempt should not be initiated against the respondent (DM)," stated the bench in its order.