Shimla: In a significant development in the Sanjauli Mosque dispute in Shimla, the District and Sessions Court on Monday ordered a stay on the demolition process initiated by the Municipal Corporation. The court’s interim order comes as a relief to the Waqf Board, which had challenged the demolition notice served on the historic mosque, reported the Dawat News.
The court suspended the previous ruling issued by the Municipal Commissioner’s Court, which had declared the mosque an illegal structure and ordered its demolition. The case, titled “Waqf Board vs. Municipal Corporation Shimla,” will now be heard next on May 29.
According to the Waqf Board, the Sanjauli Mosque has existed since before 1947 and the ongoing construction is merely a renovation of the original structure, not a new development. The board maintains that the mosque holds historical and religious significance.
The controversy first came into public view on August 29, 2024, after a communal clash in the Maliana area left one person injured. Tensions later escalated on September 1 outside the Sanjauli Mosque, sparking debates over the legality of the mosque’s structure.
On September 11, 2024, members of Hindu right-wing groups staged a massive protest alleging the mosque was being illegally constructed. Protesters attempted to breach barricades and march toward the mosque, leading to violent clashes with the police. Several police personnel and protesters were injured during the confrontation.
Subsequently, an inquiry was launched and on October 5, 2024, the Municipal Court declared the mosque’s top three floors illegal and ordered them to be demolished. However, the mosque committee was unable to implement this order in time. On May 3, 2025, Municipal Commissioner Bhupender Utri’s court issued a final ruling, deeming the entire structure illegal and ordering the demolition of the remaining two floors as well.
Challenging this ruling, the Waqf Board approached the District Court. During Monday’s hearing, the Board’s counsel argued that the construction was merely restorative in nature. The judge questioned why the Waqf Board had not sought permission from the Municipal Corporation if it was indeed a renovation project.
Nevertheless, the court placed an interim stay on the demolition, instructing all parties to maintain the status quo until the next hearing.
This court order is being seen as a temporary relief for the Waqf Board and the Muslim community, who view the mosque as an integral part of their religious and cultural identity.
