New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (February 17) issued a contempt notice to the district magistrate Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly demolishing part of a mosque in violation of the apex court’s November 2024 judgment that barred demolitions across the country without prior notice.
The bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and AG Masih also restrained the Kushinagar district administration from carrying out any further demolition till the next hearing date on March 18, reported Hindustan Times.
“It is submitted that in these premises, the demolition which was made is in egregious contempt of the directions issued by this court. Issue notice as to why proceedings for contempt should not be initiated against the respondent (DM),” said the court in its order.
The Kushinagar district administration had demolished a part of the Madni Masjid in Hata on February 9, alleging illegal occupation and construction.
The chief administrator of Madni Masjid, Haji Hamid Khan, characterised the administration’s actions as one-sided, asserting that the mosque has been destroyed based on lies. He said that the mosque is situated on registered land and was constructed in accordance with the municipality’s approved plans and that a response was provided to the municipality’s notice.
People associated with the mosque have alleged that they did not receive any directives from the municipality regarding the removal of the ‘unauthorised’ construction.
