MDA Withdraws Show-cause Notice Against Mustafa Mosque in Moradabad
MDA Withdraws Show-cause Notice Against Mustafa Mosque in Moradabad
M.U.H
02/10/202612
NEW DELHI: The Moradabad Development Authority (MDA) has withdrawn a show-cause notice issued to Mustafa Mosque in Pakbara, Moradabad, after accepting in the Allahabad High Court that the notice was vague.
The development came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by mosque mutawalli Zeeshan Ahmad Farid challenging the notice issued by the MDA on August 21 under Section 27(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973, according to a press statement issued by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (Mehmood Madani) on Thursday,
A Division Bench comprising Justices Siddharth Varma and Kunal Ravi Singh heard the matter on September 28. During the proceedings, senior advocate M C Chaturvedi, appearing for the State, told the court that the earlier notice had been withdrawn as it was vague and that a fresh notice would be served in accordance with law.
The court recorded the statement and disposed of the writ petition.
The petitioner had challenged the notice on the ground that it did not clearly set out several relevant legal and documentary aspects of the matter. The petition had also sought protection against any demolition or coercive action against the mosque without following the due process of law.
The legal proceedings concerning the Mustafa Mosque are being pursued by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind under the guidance of its president, Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani.
Advocate Mohammad Tahir Hakim, Advocate Mohammad Nizam Pasha and Prof Nisar Ahmad Ansari, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Gujarat, were involved in preparing and pursuing the legal proceedings.
Senior advocate Shashi Nandan and Advocate-on-Record Aditya Parihar appeared for the mosque before the High Court.
At the September 24 hearing, the local administration had also assured the court that no action would be taken against the mosque without the court order.
Reacting to the development, Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani said the withdrawal of the earlier notice was an important development, while stressing that the legal process in the matter was not over.
“Our legal effort is not confined to the protection of one mosque. It is also about ensuring that any action against a citizen or a religious place is taken strictly in accordance with due process of law and judicial directions,” he said.
Maulana Madani said matters involving religious places required particular caution and sensitivity.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said it would continue to monitor the proceedings concerning the Mustafa Mosque and pursue appropriate legal remedies as required.
