The Delhi High Court looked worried over the potential actions proposed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) regarding a 150-year-old mosque situated at the Sunehri Bagh Road roundabout while concluding on the plea by Waqf board.
On July 7, an interim order was passed by court where it directed the maintenance of the status quo regarding the mosque, and this order had been periodically extended.
On December 18,a single judge bench by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav decided to close the proceedings based on the developments.
The court found that the Waqf board had questions related to a joint inspection which was conducted in the absence of the board in their plea.
It was acknowledged by the court that,taking note of the interim order of July 7, a joint inspection had taken place in the presence of the parties on July 12, resulting in a prepared report.
Advocate Sanjoy Ghose who was representing the petitioner, expressed apprehension that the respondents might take actions beyond the legal framework. He sought protection for the board from any arbitrary or illegal action.
NDMC was represented by the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, who opposed these submissions and contended that there was no foundation for the petitioner’s apprehension. He emphasized that any action by the respondents would be in accordance with existing regulations and applicable orders.
The court, after listening to both the parties, concluded that it was not necessary to adjudicate further at this stage and that the parties were directed to be bound by the recorded undertakings.
The Court in its order dated December 18 said that since the parties have largely agreed on the aforesaid issues, therefore, at this stage, this court is not required to adjudicate the prayer any more. Accordingly, the petition stands disposed of along with the pending application.