Delhi High Court Grants Two Months To Conduct Encroachment Survey Near Jama Masjid

The Delhi High Court on Thursday gave a two-month time frame to conduct a survey in and around the Jama Masjid to detect encroachments near the historic mosque.

While responding to a plea filed by a resident

of Old Delhi alleging illegal parking and construction near the historic mosque, the court gave a time of two months for surveying the site. It warned of appropriate action under the law if any encroachment was found.

The plea also claimed that public land was being commercially exploited and that such encroachments were damaging the cultural heritage of Jama Masjid.

The court asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to conduct a comprehensive survey of the area and remove any unauthorised structures. On Wednesday, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) with a direction to the MCD to verify the averments raised in the petition and complete the survey.

This came in the wake of tensions near Turkman Gate, where an MCD demolition drive led to violence on Wednesday. The demolition was conducted near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid and an adjoining graveyard after a High Court order on the same day. Police said around 100-150 people gathered before the operation and clashed with authorities, throwing stones and glass bottles. Five police personnel sustained minor injuries.

What Did The Plea Claim?

Local residents of Old Delhi claimed large-scale encroachment on public parks and open spaces belonging to the MCD in the vicinity of Jama Masjid through illegal constructions and unauthorised parking operations and commercial exploitation of public land.

The petition also claimed that chemist shops, unlicensed hospitals, parking facilities, cafes, and commercial stalls were being run without valid permissions, including in park areas and other public spaces, causing obstruction and damage to the heritage character of the historic monument.

It sought immediate removal of encroachments, a halt on alleged illegal commercial exploitation, and strict action against unauthorised constructions and activities in and around the monument.

(with inputs from ANI)