Delhi High Court Halts Coercive Action In Shahi Idgah Case Amid Ongoing Waqf Dispute; DDA Asserts Ownership Of Park

In a case highlighting the long-running dispute over Waqf properties, the Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) not to initiate coercive action against the Shahi Idgah managing committee, the Indian Express reported.

The dispute centres around Idgah Park near Jama Masjid in Delhi, which the committee claims is part of a Waqf property historically linked to the Shahi Idgah mosque.

The DDA issued a show-cause notice demanding Rs 12.09 lakh from the committee for alleged unauthorised use of the land during a religious congregation (Ijtema) held in December 2024.

In response, the Shahi Idgah managing committee approached the court, asserting that both the mosque and the adjacent park are registered Waqf properties that have been used for religious purposes since the Mughal period.

The DDA asserted that the park belongs to it. The DDA maintains that the religious function was held in its park without prior approval.

The petitioners informed the court that a civil suit seeking a declaration, demarcation, and a permanent injunction regarding the Waqf status of the property is currently pending before the Waqf Tribunal.

However, the tribunal has not been functioning due to the lack of a quorum. The court took note of this and issued a notice to the DDA while protecting the petitioners from coercive steps in the interim.

Previously, on 25 September 2024, the Delhi High Court rejected the Waqf Committee’s plea against installing a statue of Rani Lakshmibai at Shahi Idgah Park in Sadar Bazar.

Justice Dharmesh Sharma ruled that the committee had no legal authority to oppose the DDA’s upkeep of the park or the statue's relocation. 

After the court’s ruling, DDA officials moved to Shahi Idgah Park to take control of the land and installed the Rani Lakshmibai statue.