[Nizamuddin Markaz Case] Delhi Police seeks directions to Wakf Board & Banglewali Masjid to produce report on ‘structural stability’ & ‘safety norms’

Read Time: 05 minutes

Synopsis

Delhi Police has filed its application in a petition by the Delhi Waqf Board seeking orders to reopen the Nizamuddin Markaz and to restore its original character. The Markaz was sealed by the Delhi Police on Mar 31, 2020.

The Delhi Police has filed an application in the Delhi High Court seeking directions to the Delhi Wakf Board and the management of Banglewali Masjid to produce reports on how safe and secure is the Markaz Building in terms of ‘structural stability' and other safety norms.

The application was filed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohit Meena in a petition by the Delhi Waqf Board seeking orders to reopen the Nizamuddin Markaz and to restore its original character.

The Markaz was sealed by the Delhi Police on Mar 31, 2020. Public entry was banned at the Markaz after a large number of Tablighi Jamaat members tested positive for Covid-19 at the peak of the pandemic in 2020.

Delhi Police in its application has sought directions to produce the relevant pages of the register kept by the Waqf Board under Sections 36 and 37 of the Waqf Act, showing the class of waqf, the name of the mutawalli who receives a succession of office, and particulars for all properties and title deeds pertaining to Masjid Banglewali.

It has also sought details of land use/ownership of land, as well as the building plan approved for construction, in relation to the Banglewali Masjid, Markaz Basti Nizamuddin, Delhi, and a copy of the sanction plan for the Masjid. "Oin the alternative, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi could be ordered to produce the plans that it has approved for the property located at Plot No.l684. Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti,” the application read.

Furthermore, the police have sought copies of notices issued by the Municipal Corporation Delhi noticing any violation in the building plan or any illegal construction at Banglewali Masjid and if so, then the reports as to what actions have been initiated in the matter.

The single-judge bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh will hear the matter on November 28.

Earlier in March this year, Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri asked the Centre to clarify which portions of the Masjid Bangle Wali at Nizamuddin Markaz could be opened for devotees to offer prayers, and why the Centre was objecting to reopening the entire Masjid.

Case Title: Delhi Waqf Board through its Chairman v. Government of NCT of Delhi and Anr.