New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to provide explanations for the demolition of a purported "600-year-old" mosque in the national capital without reportedly issuing any notice to the mosque management. Justice Sachin Datta sought this clarification during the hearing of a plea filed by the Managing Committee of the Delhi Waqf Board, which had submitted an application regarding the mosque in the Mehrauli area. The DDA informed the High Court that the demolition was carried out based on the recommendations of the Religious Committee, and prior to the decision, the committee had given an opportunity of hearing to the CEO of the Delhi Waqf Board.

The Waqf Board strongly argued before the High Court that the Religious Committee lacked jurisdiction to order any demolition action. The High Court instructed the DDA to submit a reply within one week, detailing the actions taken concerning the property, the basis for such actions, and whether any prior notice was given before the demolition. The court will review on the next hearing date whether the Religious Committee has the authority to order demolition actions. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on February 12.

The DDA conducted a demolition exercise on January 30, targeting unauthorized construction in the area, during which the mosque was reportedly bulldozed. Earlier assurances by the DDA to the High Court in a plea filed by the Waqf Board claimed that no mosques or archival graves in and around the Mehrauli Archaeological Park would be demolished. The Waqf Board alleged that the DDA was demolishing its properties with religious significance and sought a restraining order against the demolition of religious structures.

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