Gujarat HC dismisses appeal against demolition in part of 400-year-old Mancha Masjid

Gujarat High Court has dismissed the letters patent appeal filed by the trustees of the 400-year-old Mancha Masjid, who had challenged the decision of municipal authorities to demolish a part of the mosque to widen the road leading to Kalupur Railway Station in Ahmedabad.

The division bench of Justices A S Suphiya and L S Peerzada upheld a single judge’s order, which had validated the authorities’ decision and actions. Following this ruling, the stalled project near Saraspur can now move forward.

The high court observed that the main structure of the mosque is not being demolished. Moreover, several commercial properties, residential buildings, and temples are also being removed to widen the road, including one property belonging to the appellants. 

Earlier, the single judge had clarified that the municipal authorities had followed the procedure prescribed under Sections 210 to 213 of the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporation Act, 1949 (GPMC), and had issued notices regarding the mosque structures after obtaining approval from the Standing Committee. The authorities’ decision was thus deemed proper and lawful.

In their appeal against this order, the trustees of the mosque argued that, despite providing detailed submissions in response to the notice issued by the estate officer, their concerns were ignored, and the decision to demolish part of the mosque and widen the road was taken without considering their objections.

The high court noted that once the estate officer provided a hearing opportunity, the Standing Committee cannot pass such a decision without recording proper reasons. After hearing both parties, the court dismissed the trustees’ appeal.