The Delhi High Court has declined immediate relief in the Race Course Masjid case while the Centre assured that no demolition (Img: X)
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has declined to grant immediate relief to a worshipper seeking permission to offer namaz at the Race Course Masjid in Delhi. However, the Centre has assured the court that no demolition action will be taken until a representation concerning the mosque is decided.
Justice Anish Dayal heard the petition filed by Syed Ahmed Saud, who has sought protection of the mosque and unrestricted access for devotees wishing to offer prayers.
During the hearing, Central government standing counsel Ashish Dixit, representing the Land and Development Office (L&DO), informed the court that the Delhi Waqf Board’s representation would be considered as expeditiously as possible, within four weeks.
The Centre also assured the court that no action would be taken in the meantime. The matter has been listed for its next hearing on December 16.
Dixit questioned the maintainability of the petition, arguing that Saud lacked the legal standing to approach the court. He further submitted that entertaining petitions from individual worshippers could encourage similar cases.
Advocate M Sufiyan Siddiqui, appearing for Saud, opposed the Centre’s submissions.
The petitioner has sought judicial intervention over alleged restrictions on entry and exit at the mosque, claiming that devotees have been unable to access the premises for prayers.
The plea also refers to the disconnection of electricity and water supplies, raising concerns about the future of the religious structure.
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Saud has asserted his independent right to practise his religion and argued that worshippers should be allowed to reach the mosque to offer namaz.
According to the petition, the Race Course Masjid was notified as a Waqf property in the Delhi Gazette in 1977. It was subsequently granted Grade-II heritage recognition through a notification dated October 1, 2009.
The petitioner’s counsel has argued that any demolition or structural alteration would require the necessary approvals from the competent heritage authorities.
Located within the Race Course Club premises, the mosque stands on a property spanning approximately 53 acres near the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
