Himachal Court Orders Demolition Of Three Unauthorised Floors Of Controversial Mosque In Shimla

A court in Himachal Pradesh has ordered the Waqf board to demolish three unauthorised floors of a mosque in Shimla's Sanjauli.

The cost of the demolition would be borne by the Mosque committee and the Waqf board.

The Shimla district court has given a time-limit of two months to carry out the demolition of the unauthorised floors of the mosque.

"The court has passed orders that the Masjid committee and Waqf Board should demolish the top three floors of the mosque at their own cost," B S Thakur, the lawyer representing Waqf Board in the case, was quoted as saying by ANI.

"The time limit of two months has been given for the demolition. In due course, it will be decided about the rest of the portion of the building. The next date of hearing is 21 December. The mosque committee has given the undertaking to demolish the top three floors," he added.

This comes after massive protest by local residents last month, calling for the demolition of what they claimed to be “illegal” mosque in Shimla's Sanjauli area.

The Hindu organisations in state had also called for a bandh on the issue on 11 September.

During the bandh, the protestors, shouting slogans, clashed with the security and removed the barricading to enter the Dhalli Tunnel East portal during their protest rally against the alleged illegal construction of the mosque.

Also Read: Centre To Finance 65 Per Cent Of Estimated Cost Of Chennai Metro Phase 2: Finance Ministry