Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Stand On Plea By Delhi Waqf Board Seeking Protection Of Religious Properties Amid Central Vista Redevelopment Project

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought Centre's stand on the petition moved by Delhi Waqf Board seeking preservation and protection of religious/waqf properties of historical importance amid the ongoing Central Vista Redevelopment Project.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva asked the Centre to seek instructions in the matter while posting the case for further hearing on September 29.

"The project is continuing in a particular fashion. There are timelines. There is a plan. It's an old structure. It's not that it has suddenly cropped up," Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva remarked as Senior Advocate Sanjoy Ghose requested an assurance from SGI in the matter with regards to protection of the properties till next date of hearing.

Suggesting that an assurance would amount as indirect stay, the Court adjourned the matter.

Moved through Advocate Wajeeh Shafiq, the plea places reliance on social media posts stating that due to the Central Vista Redevelopment Project various mosques and other waqf properties were facing demolition.

Accordingly, the plea states that representations were made by the petitioner Board to Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs seeking an assurance that the Central Vista Redevelopment Project will not affect any waqf property.

"... till date neither any steps have been taken by the respondent to clarify on the status of the waqf properties nor any assurance is given in respect of the waqf properties," the plea states.

The petition further avers that in view of sec. per 32 of the Waqf Act, 1995, the petitioner Board is vested with powers of general superintendence, maintenance and control of all waqfs and waqf properties located within the. Delhi.

"The said power is coupled with a duty to protect the waqf properties," the plea adds.

" ...as per the information available on the internet the existing Vice President House is to be demolished as the official residence of the, Hon'ble the Vice President is to be built behind North Block, besides the offices located in Krishi l3hawan and Udyog Bhawan are also to be shifted to other places in Central Vista Redevelopment Project and those two Bhawans are also to be demolished. The future of Masjid ZabtaGanj and Jama Masjid, New Delhi is also uncertain as they are also likely to be affected by this project owing to their proximity to India Gate and the Parliament House respectively," the plea states.

Accordingly, the plea prays for direction on the Centre to preserve the original shape, form and use of all the waqf properties situated in or around the Central Vista Redevelopment Project or other projects allied to it, along with the easements attached to those properties.

Title: DELHI WAQF BOARD v. UNION OF INDIA