Allahabad High Court Halts Mosque Demolition Amid Road Widening Dispute

Interim Protection Granted to Noori Jama Masjid; State Undertakes No Further Demolition Until Next Hearing  

In a significant decision, the Allahabad High Court has intervened in the ongoing dispute regarding the demolition of a part of the Noori Jama Masjid in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh. The mosque's managing committee filed a writ petition challenging the demolition, which was carried out as part of public works for road widening. The petition was heard by a division bench comprising Justices Atul Sreedharan and Arun Kumar.  

During the proceedings, the learned Standing Counsel for the State asserted that the demolition was necessary due to the urgency of widening the road. However, the counsel for the petitioner contested this claim, arguing that the road widening work was incomplete and further demolition posed a threat to the mosque's structure.  

In response to the concerns raised by the mosque's managing committee, the State's counsel provided an undertaking to the court, assuring that no further demolition of the mosque would be conducted until the next hearing. This undertaking was recorded in the court's order, granting interim protection to the mosque structure.  

The court acknowledged the need for urgency in public works but balanced it against the religious and cultural significance of the mosque. Consequently, the case has been listed as a priority for the next hearing on November 17, 2025, to enable the State counsel to obtain further instructions and potentially resolve the matter.  

This ruling highlights the judiciary's role in mediating between development needs and heritage preservation, ensuring that public infrastructure projects are implemented with sensitivity towards cultural landmarks.  

Bottom Line:

Mosque demolition - Demolition of part of Mosque due to public work of road widening - Undertaking given by State counsel that no further demolition of Mosque structure will occur until next hearing - Case listed urgently to address the matter.

Statutory provision(s): Mosque demolition

Managing Committee, Noori Jama Masjid v. State of U.P., (Allahabad)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2808943