HC questions municipal body about disconnection of electricity to heritage mosque near PM residence

The Delhi High Court on Friday verbally questioned the New Delhi Municipal Council about its decision to disconnect electricity and water electricity supplies to a heritage mosque near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence, The Times of India reported.

The court issued notice to the municipal council, seeking its response within two weeks to a petition challenging the move.

“You cannot disconnect electricity without notice,” The Indian Express quoted Justice Subramonium Prasad as saying.

The petition was filed by the mosque’s imam after a single judge declined to order the restoration of the utilities to the religious structure, which is listed as a heritage property on the New Delhi Municipal Council’s website.

On October 19, the mosque received an eviction notice stating that the structure stands on government land and is “unauthorised”. The Land and Development Office, which functions under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, had directed the mosque authorities to vacate the premises within six days.

On October 29, the demolition was put on hold for four weeks after the Union government informed the court that the Land and Development Office will decide on a representation by the Delhi Waqf Board and would not take any coercive action against the structure during the period.

However, the government opposed allowing access to the mosque, citing safety concerns because of the...

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