Shimla, May 30 —A local court extended the stay on the demolition of the disputed mosque in Sanjauli locality, ruling that the structure cannot be razed while the matter remains under judicial consideration.
The order was passed by additional district and sessions judge Yajuvender Singh, who stated that the case warranted further legal scrutiny. The stay will remain in place until a final decision is reached.
During the hearing, the Shimla Municipal Corporation urged the court to lift the interim stay and uphold the earlier demolition order issued by the commissioner’s court. However, after hearing both sides, the judge observed that the case is suitable for detailed hearing and maintained the stay on demolition.
The court scheduled the next hearing for July 5.
The Waqf Board had filed a petition challenging the commissioner’s order dated May 3, which directed the demolition of the mosque’s top two floors. The order had cited the Waqf Board and Sanjauli Mosque Committee’s failure to produce ownership documents for the site.
The dispute dates back to an October 5, 2024, decision by the commissioner’s court, which deemed the top three floors of the five-storeyed mosque illegal. The mosque committee was then instructed to demolish those floors within eight weeks and bear the costs involved.
On May 26, the sessions court had first issued an interim stay and sought a response from the municipal corporation before proceeding further.
The case continues to draw attention amid legal questions over land ownership and construction legality on religious premises.
