The Delhi High Court has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to investigate allegations of encroachment by a mosque and several shops on the land of a school in Wazirpur, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of students, particularly girls. The directive was issued on Wednesday by a bench consisting of Chief Justice D K Upadhayaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.
The court’s intervention followed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Save India Foundation, which claimed a “shocking encroachment” on the school’s property. This PIL was treated by the court as a formal representation to the MCD, prompting immediate judicial review.
During the hearing, the MCD’s counsel contended that the mosque predates the school and that any issues regarding the demolition of authorized religious structures should be addressed to the religious committee. Additionally, the counsel argued that what were referred to as shops in the PIL were merely “sheds” located outside the school’s boundary.
However, the court ordered the MCD to conduct a thorough survey and prepare a report verifying these claims. “Be that as it may, the grievance in the petition has to be redressed,” the bench stated. If the allegations are confirmed, particularly concerning illegal construction related to the religious structure, the matter is to be referred to the religious committee for further action.
The court also expressed concern over security lapses, noting the presence of “unchecked” openings that could potentially compromise the safety of the school’s students. “Since the school is run and managed by MCD, it shall be the duty of MCD to ensure proper security for students is put in place,” the order read. This directive comes amid concerns about the vulnerability of female students at the school.
In addition to the security measures, the court mandated action against the unauthorized shops, underscoring the need to protect the educational environment from commercial intrusions and other disturbances.
