On June 25, 2025, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on a contempt petition filed by the Mangolpuri Muhammadi Jama Masjid and Madarsa Anwarul Uloom Welfare Association. The plea alleges that MCD violated previous court directions by carrying out a demolition drive around the mosque premises at midnight, without any proper demarcation as required by law.
The petition, filed under Section 2(B) and Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, claims that MCD failed to comply with a specific directive issued on November 18, 2024, in the matter titled Save India Foundation Regd. v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors (W.P.(C) 4867/2024).
“MCD is directed to delineate and indicate to the Applicant the area which is encroaching on the public land that is intended to be removed, within one week from today,” the November 18, 2024, court order had stated.
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According to the Petitioners, the MCD neither provided the demarcation report nor indicated the encroached area as mandated. They further allege that despite this, the civic body began the demolition process around the mosque at midnight, without any prior notice or lawful communication.
On the contrary, the counsel representing MCD submitted that the encroached portion was properly demarcated in the presence of the Petitioners, and that the action was carried out with the involvement of police officials and revenue authorities. He asserted that the demolition followed proper legal requisition and that a significant part of the encroached land had already been removed in compliance with the earlier court order.
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However, the Petitioners strongly refuted these claims and argued that no such demarcation was ever shown to them. They urged the Court to initiate contempt proceedings, citing violation of judicial directions and unilateral action by the civic agency.
“The respondents were supposed to provide the demarcation report to them, which they have failed to do... hence, committed contempt by demolishing a part of the premises,” the Petitioners contended.
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Justice Renu Bhatnagar, while hearing the matter, issued a notice and directed MCD to file a detailed reply within one week. The court also instructed the MCD to submit a complete report along with supporting photographs of the demolition activity.
“Let reply be filed within a period of one week with a copy to the other side,” stated Justice Renu Bhatnagar in the order.
The matter is now listed for further hearing on July 9, 2025, along with the related Writ Petition (Civil) No. 4867/2024.
Case Title: Mangolpuri Muhammadi Jama Masjid And Madarsa Anwarul Uloom Welfare Association v. Shri Ashwani Kumar And Ors.
Case No.: CONT.CAS(C) 925/2025
