Bulldozer Action In Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh For Road Widening, Part Of Madina Masjid Demolished

New Delhi: A late-night bulldozer action was carried out in Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh area for the widening of Max Hospital Road. During the drive, part of Madina Masjid and several houses along with illegal encroachments on the road were removed. Heavy police force was deployed at the spot.

As news of action on the mosque spread, tension prevailed in the area. AIMIM Delhi President Shoaib Jamai reached Shalimar Bagh around 11:30 pm after getting information. He met local people and called the action unconstitutional.

Did not even get time to take Quran out: Imam

Shoaib Jamai said, “In Shalimar village, where the mosque matter is still pending in court, bulldozer action was taken late at night in the dark after switching off all lights of the area. The Imam and locals say they were not even given time to take out the holy Quran and other religious books from inside the mosque.”

He also targeted Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, saying Shalimar Bagh is her own constituency and such action in the dark at her behest is condemnable.

Madina Masjid Imam Zarifur Rahman questioned the administration’s claim. He said, “The mosque is being called illegal, but almost every house in Shalimar is built on GPA (General Power of Attorney). The whole area is settled on this document, yet only the mosque is being called illegal. This is discriminatory.”

The Imam said, “We presented our side in court through lawyer. Court sent notice to MCD. MCD called us for hearing where we submitted all documents. But next day itself MCD issued notice asking to remove the mosque within 15 days or be ready for action. After that we went to court again where we got stay only for ground floor, no relief for upper floors.”

Madina Masjid President Movin Khan said, “On lawyer’s advice we filed a fresh application asking MCD for clear copies of documents to prepare a proper reply. But MCD issued three notices saying demolition will be done in 15 days. Then we filed case in Appellate Tribunal. In first hearing on 15th, Tribunal said the floor where electricity meter is installed is recognized, but rest is considered new construction.”

He said, “We requested the court to check the age of plaster on walls. We told we had built these three floors in 2001 itself and submitted site plan of that time in court. But judge did not pay attention to our maps and arguments and ordered that upper floors can be demolished.”