Ulhasnagar court orders status quo on Barkatiya Mosque complex, seeks UMC's reply

ULHASNAGAR: A civil court in Ulhasnagar has ordered both parties to maintain status quo on the Barkatiya Mosque, Madrasa and Imam's residence while hearing a suit challenging demolition proceedings initiated by the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC).

The order was passed by Civil Judge (Junior Division) Rohini Ashok Jadhav in Regular Civil Suit filed by the trustees of the Barkatiya Mosque complex through trust president and authorised representative Rizwani Mohammad Usman. According to the plaintiffs, the mosque, madrasa and imam's residence form part of an age-old religious and educational complex that has served the local Muslim community for decades.

The suit challenges demolition show-cause notices and subsequent demolition and eviction orders issued by the UMC, which allegedly classified the structures as unauthorised. The plaintiffs argued that the proposed demolition was being carried out in undue haste without following the mandatory legal procedure prescribed under law. They also alleged that the religious complex had been selectively targeted under pressure from certain communal and anti-social elements.

The UMC has maintained that action was initiated under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act and that statutory notices were duly issued.

After examining the records and submissions from both sides, the court observed that the notices issued by the civic body appeared to provide only seven days for compliance, whereas judicial directions referred to by the court required a 15-day period in such cases. Observing that any irreversible action could render the suit infructuous and cause irreparable prejudice to the plaintiffs, the court granted interim protection and directed both parties to maintain the existing status of the property. The court has directed the respondent authorities to file their reply by June 30. The plea for interim relief will be considered after hearing both sides.