In November 2017, Allahabad High Court ordered removal of a mosque built on the court’s land after encroachment. The High Court had directed the High Court registrar general to ensure that no part of high court premises, either in Allahabad or Lucknow, should be used for religious activities. The mosque authorities were directed to vacate the site and peacefully hand over the possession within three months.
However, on Saturday, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board has moved the Supreme Court against the judgement. As per Bar And Bench, an appeal was filed through advocate Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi, where the Waqf Board contended that the judgment of the High Court erred in law, as it did not appreciate the facts and the law presented by the appellants. The petitioner has said that the mosque came into existence in 1959, but was not open to public. In 1981, the mosque was made public and since then it has been used by general public to offer Namaz five times a day.
The petitioner claims that the mosque causes no obstruction to entry and exit of the High Court since it has separate entry and exit from inception. Indira Jaising appeared on behalf of the Waqf Board and the next hearing is scheduled for 16th March.