Delhi HC Refuses Prayer Access At Race Course Mosque Near PM House, Cites Safety Amid Demolition; Centre Says No Demolition For 4 Weeks
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NEW DELHI:The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to direct the Centre to allow worshippers to access the Race Course Mosque for prayers, even as the Centre assured that no coercive action will be taken against the structure for the time being.
Justice Anish Dayal was hearing a petition by worshipper Syed Ahmed Saud seeking protection of the mosque a notified Waqf property since Sept 8, 1977 located in the precincts of Jaipur Polo Ground / Race Course Club near 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, PM’s residence — from demolition and restoration of entry.
Court Observations:
Noting ongoing demolition work around the 53-acre Race Course Club complex taken over by Land & Development Office (L&DO) under Ministry of Housing — Jaipur Polo Ground taken in June, Delhi Race Club in August — Justice Dayal said: “If somebody gets injured, who is going to pay compensation? Let them decide. It is a fair submission. We can’t force them to give access for prayers.
Centre’s Stand:
Standing Counsel Ashish Dixit submitted:
L&DO will decide Delhi Waqf Board’s representation within 4 weeks, no coercive action till then
Access unsafe due to active demolition and clearance of 700 families’ slum dwellings nearby
Electricity and water to mosque discontinued from Oct 7 to avoid risk
Same restriction applies to a temple on same premises
Petitioner lacks locus, but court kept plea alive
Petitioner’s Argument:
Advocate Sufian Siddiqui showed photographs claiming demolition already completed, nothing left, and argued ingress/egress should be restored. He said as a Grade-II protected heritage structure (Delhi Govt notification Oct 1, 2009), any alteration needs Heritage Conservation Committee approval.
Next Steps:
Court recorded assurance, directed Centre to file status report with photographs before next hearing on Dec 16. Interim protection for mosque continues till then, but no prayers allowed for now.
