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New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has affirmed the order of the Allahabad High Court to remove a mosque from its premises, citing that the structure was built illegally on government land.
The case pertains to a mosque that was constructed on the premises of the Public Works Department (PWD) in Ghaziabad. The Allahabad High Court had ordered the removal of the mosque in 2017, stating that it was built without proper authorization from the authorities.
The mosque management had challenged the order in the Supreme Court, arguing that the structure was not built on government land and that the mosque had been in existence for over 50 years. They had also claimed that the High Court order was passed without hearing their side of the story.
However, the Supreme Court rejected the mosque's plea and affirmed the High Court order, stating that the structure was built in violation of the law and that the mosque management failed to produce sufficient evidence to support their claim of ownership. The Court also observed that the mosque management had not approached the authorities for regularization of the structure, which could have been a possible solution.
The Court also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure that the mosque is removed within three months and that the land is restored to the PWD. The government has been directed to provide adequate security to ensure that the removal is carried out peacefully.
The verdict has been welcomed by several groups, including the BJP and other right-wing organizations, who have been demanding the removal of illegal structures from government land. They have hailed the verdict as a victory for the rule of law and have urged the government to take strict action against those who encroach on government land.
On the other hand, the decision has also drawn criticism from some quarters, who have accused the government and the judiciary of targeting a particular community. They have argued that the mosque had been in existence for several decades and that its removal could lead to communal tensions.
The verdict is likely to have far-reaching implications for other similar cases pending in courts across the country. It remains to be seen how the government and the concerned authorities will implement the Supreme Court's order and how the affected parties will react to it.