SC issues notice to Uttar Pradesh officials in mosque demolition case

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a petition seeking contempt of court proceedings against authorities in Uttar Pradesh for demolishing a portion of a mosque in Kushinagar district, Live Law reported.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih was hearing the petition, which alleged that the structure was razed in violation of the top court’s November 13 judgement that had restrained demolitions across the country without prior notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

According to the petitioners, the authorities demolished the outer and front portions of the Madni Masjid in Kushinagar’s Hata on February 9, The Times of India reported.

The authorities did not grant them a prior hearing, the petitioners said, adding that the disputed portion, which was allegedly beyond the sanctioned plan, could have been regularised legally.

In addition to the contempt proceedings against the authorities, the petitioners also sought the status quo at the site to be maintained and the restoration of the demolished structure or compensation for the damage caused.

During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the petitioners, said that no notice had been issued so far with regard to the demolished structure. This amounted to an “egregious” contempt of the November 13 judgement, Ahmadi was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

He also claimed that a sub-divisional magistrate...

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