Why Calcutta HC Referred To 'Flydubai Incident' While Hearing Plea To Resume Namaz At Kolkata Airport Mosque

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday referred to the recent 'Flydubai incident' during the hearing of a plea seeking interim restoration of access to offer namaz at the historic Bankra Mosque on the Kolkata airport premises, as the Court considered security concerns raised by the airport authorities.

Justice Krishna Rao orally observed that security threats were not confined to India and referred to the previous day's 'Flydubai incident' while hearing submissions on the security implications of allowing people to access the mosque.

The Court, however, did not pass any interim order permitting the resumption of prayers at the mosque. The matter could not be concluded and has been directed to be taken up again on October 7, 2026.

Why was the Flydubai incident referred to by the Court?

The petitioners sought access to the mosque for offering namaz, pointing out that prayers had been permitted there for several decades under security arrangements. Their case was that worshippers were previously screened and taken to the mosque under the supervision of CISF personnel, with the movement regulated to address security requirements.

The authorities, however, raised concerns about permitting civilian movement into an area forming part of the airport's operational zone.

During these submissions, the Court referred to the recent 'Flydubai incident' to illustrate the broader nature of aviation-security risks.

It may be recalled that yesterday a 'Flydubai' flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an alleged confrontation between the pilots in the cockpit.

Justice Krishna Rao observed: "No, not only in India. Nowadays it is happening everywhere. Look at yesterday's Flydubai incident. You cannot even imagine."

The observation was made during the hearing on the security concerns; it was not a finding that the Flydubai incident had any connection with the Kolkata airport mosque dispute.

What Is The Dispute Over The Mosque?

The proceedings concern the Bankra Mosque, also referred to as the Gauripur Jama Masjid, which is situated within the operational area of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

The mosque is understood to be around 136 years old and predates the present airport infrastructure. As the airport expanded over the decades, the mosque came to lie within the airport's operational area and close to its secondary runway.

The mosque is located approximately 165 metres from the secondary runway. The issue of its location has also been raised in the context of aviation safety and the use of the secondary runway.

Access to the mosque for offering prayers was stopped in July amid security concerns, leading the mosque committee to approach the High Court.

Petitioners: Prayers Were Earlier Allowed Under Security Arrangements

During the hearing, the petitioners relied upon the longstanding practice of allowing people to offer prayers at the mosque.

Their case was that worshippers were not being given unrestricted access to the airport. Instead, they were subjected to security screening and transported to the mosque under a controlled arrangement.

The petitioners therefore sought restoration of the earlier system, contending that security concerns could be addressed through regulated access rather than by completely stopping prayers.

The proceedings before Justice Krishna Rao have been continuing since September. On September 17, the matter was adjourned at the request of the respondents.

Airport Authorities Raise Security Concerns

The authorities opposed the plea primarily on security grounds. It was submitted that the mosque falls within the airport's operational area and is situated close to the runway. Concerns were also raised regarding instances of people allegedly entering sensitive areas of the airport.

The authorities have maintained that access to such a sensitive zone cannot be considered merely from the perspective of religious practice, given the security requirements applicable to an operational international airport.

Earlier reports have also raised concerns about the mechanism by which worshippers were granted entry to the mosque and the absence of the kind of verification ordinarily associated with access to sensitive airport areas.

The dispute is not confined to the question of access for prayers. Government material placed before Parliament in December 2025 had stated that the mosque is situated in the approach area of Kolkata airport's secondary runway and that its presence results in the northern threshold of that runway being displaced by 88 metres. The secondary runway is used when the primary runway is unavailable.

The mosque's proximity to the runway has therefore been a matter of concern in the broader discussions concerning airport operations and its possible relocation.

The authorities have also held discussions regarding shifting the historic structure outside the airport boundary.

After hearing the parties, the High Court did not grant interim permission for namaz at the mosque.

The Court has instead kept the matter pending for further consideration, with the next hearing scheduled for October 7, 2026