HC issues notice to Imam of Jama Masjid

New Delhi, Sep 22 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today issued a notice to Imam of Jama Masjid Sayed Imam Bukhari for not voluntarily removing the illegal structures inside the historic Moghul monument, including his residential building, despite repeated directives of the court.

A Division Bench of acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma issued the notice to counsel M Tayeeb Khan, who appeared for Bukhari on earlier dates.

Advocate Usha Kumar, appearing for Heritage and Culture Forum, submitted that the court, on November 6, 2005, had asked the Imam to remove the illegal structures voluntarily.

When the Delhi Government was planning to develop the structure to its pristine glory, the unauthorised structures were not removed, she said.

While adjourning the matter for further hearing till October 6, the court said the Imam was impleaded in the petition and asked to take action voluntarily.

The court asked the authorities to arrange for the power point presentation of the plan for the development of the Jama Masjid on next Friday.

In a petition, Rafiullha, a resident of the walled city, sought the direction of the court to the authorities to remove the unauthorised structures on the premises, which were damaging the monument built by Moghul Emperor Shahajahan 350 years ago.

The petitioner also sought the direction of the court to the Union Government to declare Jama Masjid a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.

UNI PAT RL PM1945