The Allahabad High Court has closed a writ petition filed by the managing committee of the 19th-century Fatehpur-Noori Jama Masjid, after the Uttar Pradesh government assured the bench that no additional demolition of the religious structure would take place.
A division bench of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Anish Kumar Gupta recorded the state’s categorical statement that the only action taken so far was the removal of encroachments built beyond the mosque’s original footprint on government land.
Although the petition was disposed of, the court granted liberty to the mosque committee to seek a formal demarcation of the boundaries under Section 24 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006.
Section 24 provides for resolution of boundary disputes through a summary inquiry conducted by a sub-divisional officer.
The bench directed that if such an application is filed, the demarcation must be completed within the time period prescribed under the statute from the date the request is made.
The managing committee had approached the court raising concerns that authorities in Fatehpur district intended to raze the entire mosque located in Lalauli village, claiming the action initiated by officials went beyond the removal of alleged encroachments.
During the hearing, Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal clarified the state’s stand, stating that only the excess construction erected by encroaching upon state land had been removed and that no further demolition was planned.
In its order dated November 17, the bench noted, “It is further categorically stated before this court and we record that no further demolition of the mosque is required.”
With that assurance on record, the writ petition was disposed of.
