In a brief but pointed hearing, the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking reconstruction and related reliefs concerning the demolished Takiya Masjid in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The bench made it clear that the issue had already reached finality during earlier litigation, and reopening the matter now would not serve any purpose.
Background
The Takiya Masjid, said to be around 200 years old, was demolished after the State acquired the land as part of the expansion of the Mahakal Lok corridor and adjoining parking zone. Petitioners had argued that they and others regularly offered namaz there and that the demolition infringed upon their right to practice their faith.
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The Madhya Pradesh High Court, however, had dismissed their plea, pointing out that the right to practice religion does not depend on any single physical location. It also noted that the land acquisition was completed and compensation was awarded—though the petitioners dispute who actually received that compensation.
Court’s Observations
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta seemed disinclined from the outset. When Senior Advocate M.R. Shamshad, appearing for the petitioners, highlighted the historical nature of the mosque and argued that the demolition served the interests of another religious complex, the bench responded that earlier challenges had already been withdrawn.
“Too late now, nothing can be done,” Justice Nath said during the proceedings, signaling the Court’s firm view that the issue had crossed the stage of intervention.
When counsel pointed to a part of the High Court judgment suggesting that namaz could be offered at other mosques or even at home, he called the reasoning problematic. The bench, however, disagreed and remarked that the High Court had provided “very good reasoning,” particularly because compensation had already been awarded.
On the petitioners’ claim that compensation had been given to the wrong persons, the bench was clear: “If that is the grievance, the remedy lies elsewhere under law.”
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Decision
The Court ultimately refused to interfere and dismissed the petition outright, effectively bringing the current chapter of the Takiya Masjid dispute to a close.
Case: Mohammed Taiyab & Others vs. State of Madhya Pradesh & Others (Takiya Masjid Demolition Case)
Court: Supreme Court of India
Bench: Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
