Delhi HC Seeks MCD Reply in Contempt Plea Over Demolition Near Mangolpuri Masjid
In a contempt petition filed over alleged unauthorized demolition at a mosque site in Mangolpuri, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to respond.
Justice Renu Bhatnagar was hearing a contempt petition filed by the Mangolpuri Muhammadi Jama Masjid and Madarsa Anwarul-Uloom Welfare Association against the MCD demolition notices.
The Masjid Welfare Association alleged that the MCD violated a prior court order by initiating a demolition drive at the Masjid premises without following due process at midnight.
The MCD, on the other hand, told the high court that it would not take any further action until the next hearing.
After hearing the submissions, the court sought a reply from the MCD and listed the matter for further hearing on July 9, 2025.
The Masjid Welfare Association, represented by Advocate Renu, argued that the demolition was carried out without proper demarcation and began in the middle of the night.
In response, the MCD claimed that the demolition began in the morning, not at midnight.
Earlier, the court had, by an order dated November 19, 2024 had directed the MCD to identify encroachments and remove them only if the petitioner failed to comply.
However, the petitioners submitted that they had fully complied and voluntarily removed the identified encroachments in the presence of police officials. After which, a compliance report was submitted on June 23 along with photographic evidence.
Nonetheless, they stated that fresh demolition notices have allegedly been issued without any prior hearing or intimation. They further alleged that they were verbally informed on June 25 about a proposed demolition of the property in question.
In response, the MCD has assured that no further coercive action will be taken until the next hearing.
The matter will now be heard next on July 9.