New Delhi, March 11: The Delhi High Court has asked the Central Government to clearly state that which part of the Masjid bungalow at Nizamuddin Markaz can be opened for Namaz.
A bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri asked the Central Government’s counsel Rajat Nair to take the direction of the Centre in this regard and inform the court by March 14.
In fact, the Central Government had told the High Court that some people can be allowed to offer Namaz in the mosque bungalow located at Nizamuddin Markaz on the occasion of Shabe Baraat and Ramzan.
On this, the High Court said that if the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has not imposed any restrictions, then why it canโt be opened forever, only on the occasion of a festival. Nair then said that if there is no objection in opening the first floor of the mosque, but if there is a demand to open the entire complex, then the Centre has objection to that.
Then the court asked why only the first floor was allowed to open when the mosque has four floors. You should come with clear instructions from the central government on this.
During the hearing, Rajat Nair said that this petition is not maintainable as the legitimate people living in Markaz have not filed the petition.
He said that even before this five people were allowed to offer Namaz together. This year also similar permission can be given on the occasion of festivals.
He had said that if the petitioners want to demand the opening of the entire premises, then that premises are property attached to the case which cannot be allowed to be opened now.
During the hearing, advocate Wajih Shafiq, appearing for the Delhi Waqf Board, said that the Markaz should be allowed to open in view of the recent order of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has ordered lifting of all restrictions on February 26 but the premises of Markaz are under lock by Delhi Police.
The court then directed the Delhi Waqf Board to file a copy of the recent order of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority.
During the hearing on February 23, advocate Sanjay Ghosh, appearing for the Delhi Waqf Board, had said that the festival of Shabe Baraat is approaching and it is in the middle of March. The month of Ramadan is also starting from April 2, which will depend on the sighting of the moon. During this, he demanded to open the mosque located at Nizamuddin Markaz.
During the hearing, the central government said that the opening of Markaz will depend on the guidelines of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority. Advocate Rajat Nair, appearing for the Centre, said that for this, the police and the Waqf Board have jointly inspected the mosque premises.
Religious places and other places of need have been identified in the inspection. The court then directed the Delhi Police to file a status report. In fact, in March 2020, a religious program was organized in the mosque located at Nizamuddin Markaz in which foreign nationals had come. After that the police sealed this mosque.
