Supreme Court Defers Hearing on Gujarat Demolition Drive

The Supreme Court has adjourned a hearing concerning the contentious demolition activities in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district. The case will resume on December 2, following the Gujarat Government's promise to respond to the allegations of unauthorized demolitions. The court had earlier denied halting the demolitions.

The Supreme Court has postponed its hearing on a petition over alleged demolition activities in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. A bench composed of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan rescheduled the hearing for December 2 after the Gujarat Government stated it would address the petitioner's claims.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Gujarat Government, assured the court that a reply was being prepared and would be submitted promptly. Consequently, the court has set the next hearing for December. The case involves a petition by Summast Patni Musslim Jamat, filed through advocate Anas Tanwir, seeking contempt proceedings against Gujarat authorities for reportedly defying a Supreme Court order from September 17.

Previously, Gujarat had assured the Supreme Court that land with demolished structures in Gir Somnath would not be allocated to third parties until the next hearing. Alongside Jamat, the Auliya-e-Deen Committee from Junagadh had petitioned against a Gujarat High Court ruling that declined to halt the demolition drive in Somnath.

Initially, the Supreme Court declined to stay the ongoing demolition process but warned that if found in contempt of its orders, officials could face jail time and be ordered to restore the demolished structures. The court's September 17 directive stipulated no demolitions be carried out nationwide without its consent, except unauthorized structures on public spaces.

The petitioners have accused Gujarat authorities of illegally demolishing historic Muslim religious sites without notification or hearings. This includes mosques, eidgahs, mausoleums, and residential properties associated with these sites, allegedly razed on September 28 without prior notice.

(With inputs from agencies.)