Bhandup: The Noor Muhammadi Sunni Mosque, located on Subhash Road, adjacent to the Ceat Tire Company in Bhandup East, has received a temporary stay on its demolition. Since 2017, development under the SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) scheme has been ongoing in the area. The mosque was initially slated for demolition on September 24 and the SRA staff had made all necessary preparations. However, due to timely legal action and an appeal to the Waqf Board, the demolition was halted. Initially, the SRA refused to acknowledge the Waqf Board’s stay order, but when it was forwarded to the SRA’s legal department, they not only accepted it but also warned officials that ignoring the order would amount to contempt of court and complicate the legal situation further. As a result, the mosque, established in 1974, is temporarily safe, but its long-term protection remains uncertain.
The issue arose because the mosque’s trustees had made an agreement with the developer for its relocation. However, upon further investigation, it was discovered that the developer had deceptively offered a relocation site that falls within a road-cutting area on the Development Plan (DP).
Shabbir Ahmed, president of the mosque, confirmed the situation, expressing hope for a favorable outcome in today’s tribunal hearing. Speaking to the media, his team explained that legal consultations and complaints were filed with various authorities, including the Chief Minister and SRA officials.
The Bombay High Court upheld the Waqf Tribunal’s stay order and directed the developer to approach the Tribunal. The mosque continues to function normally. Efforts are being made to ensure that any relocation follows all legal requirements to prevent future issues.
