Legal Showdown: Sanjauli Mosque Case Sparks Community Involvement

A local court postponed the hearing on the Sanjauli mosque case due to an application from residents to become involved. The case challenges an order to demolish unauthorized mosque floors. The court will revisit the issue on November 14.

A local court has delayed the hearing on the Sanjauli mosque case after residents filed an application to be part of the proceedings.

The Shimla Additional District Judge's court deferred the decision regarding the appeal's maintainability lodged by the All Himachal Muslim Organisation (AHMO). This follows an October 5 order from the Municipal Commissioner's Court allowing the demolition of three unauthorized mosque floors within a two-month timeframe.

The ADJ court has set November 14 as the new date for hearings on both the AHMO's appeal and the residents' application. Initially, on September 12, 2024, Latif Mohammad, president of the Shimla-based Sanjauli mosque, along with other community members, had proposed demolishing the floors, seeking approval from the municipal commissioner. The situation has previously led to protests, with clashes resulting in injuries and the use of water cannons on demonstrators demanding the mosque's partial demolition.

(With inputs from agencies.)