Queency Jain-
After the demolition of the Gareeb Nawaz Mosque against the order of Allahabad High Court, the Court has issued a show cause notice to Station House officer of Ram Sanehi Ghat to explain why Contempt of Court proceedings must not be initiated against him.
A single-judge bench of Justice Ravi Nath Tiwari observed that the demolition of the mosque was a prima facie violation of the High Court’s order dated 24 April which clearly stated that no demolition must take place in the times of the pandemic.
The controversy of contempt began after Gareeb Nawaz Mosque was demolished on 17 May claiming it to be an illegal structure. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibbal appearing on the behalf of petitioners called the demolition to be willful disobedience of the Court’s order.
Though the Court refused to issue contempt notice to the Sub Divisional Magistrate as he passed the order on 3 April while the stay was granted earlier on 24 April, the SHO was issued a notice of contempt.
Earlier, a writ petition has also been filed by the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board which submitted that the mosque demolition proceedings done under Section 133 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure has been done in a quick manner and in a malicious manner.
The petition further contended that the Masjid is demolished in order to construct a new structure therein and if no step is taken urgently, the petitioners will have to suffer irreparable harm.
The matter is listed for further hearing on 22 July 2021.
