Himachal Pradesh High Court Directs Status Quo On Two Lower Floors Of Sanjauli Mosque, Orders Demolition Of Upper Floors
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued notice to the Shimla Municipal Corporation seeking a detailed clarification on the legality of various portions of Sanjauli mosque Structure.
The Court directed status quo to be maintained regarding the ground floor and first floor of the five storey Sanjauli mosque in Shimla. However, it ordered the demolition of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors, relying on the Waqf Board's own undertaking recorded earlier before the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Shimla.
Justice Ajay Mohan Goel remarked that: “…status quo shall be maintained qua the ground floor and the first floor, however, the petitioner shall demolish the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor in light of the undertaking given by the petitioner itself… recorded in the order… dated 05.10.2024.”
Background:
The case goes back to 2010 when local residents and Hindu organisations had moved an application, alleging that the mosque had been built without Muncipal Corporation's permission, and that too, on land not belonging to the Waqf Board.
The municipal corporation had ordered demolition of illegal structure, after which the
Waqf Board had challenged the order of the corporation in district court. However, the district court upheld the municipal commissioner's order declaring the Sanjauli mosque unauthorised and directed the demolition of the entire five-storey structure. Aggrieved, the Waqf Board approached the High Court against the order.
During hearing, Waqf Board submitted that the top two floors of the five-storey mosque have already been demolished and the remaining third will also be pulled down soon.
The High Court issued issued notice to the Municipal Corporation and sought the record of proceedings.
The matter is now listed for 09 March 2026.
Case Name: Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board v/s Municipal Corporation, Shimla
Case No.: CMPMO No.710 of 2025