The Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea on Wednesday that sought permission to perform namaz in a mosque situated inside the Qutub Minar complex, but outside the Qutub enclave.
The Bench of Justice Krishna Murari and Justice C.T. Ravikumar dismissed the Special Leave Petition (SLP) on the grounds that the issue was already pending before the Delhi High Court.
The Apex Court directed the High Court to consider the petition on its own merits as expeditiously as possible.
The Counsel appearing for the Managing Committee of Delhi Waqf Board alleged that performing namaz at a mosque situated outside the Qutub enclave had been stopped by the Central government officials. The government officials did not issue any notice or order, and acted in an illegal and abrupt manner, alleged the lawyer.
He said a writ petition had been filed before the Delhi High Court in this regard almost a year ago, but the matter has not progressed since. As per the Counsel, the latest application filed in the matter in view of Ramzan has not been considered by the High Court.
He said the High Court, on March 3, had listed the petition related to Ramzan for hearing on August 21, 2023, along with a similar plea.
Hearing the application in August would in essence render it infructuous, noted the Counsel, urging the Apex Court to allow performance of namaz at the said mosque.
However, the top court of the country told the petitioner to approach the High Court.