New Delhi, 06 November (H.S.): The Delhi High Court on Friday strongly reprimanded the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) over the disconnection of electricity and water supplies to the Race Course Mosque. The court made it clear that when a property is legally recognised and notified under the relevant laws, essential services such as electricity and water cannot be disconnected without following due legal procedure and issuing prior notice.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Renu Bhatnagar made the observations while hearing a fresh appeal filed by Mohammed Haroon, the imam of the Race Course Mosque. The appeal challenges an earlier single-judge order dismissing his plea seeking restoration of the mosque’s electricity and water connections.

The court issued notices to the NDMC and the Delhi Waqf Board, directing them to file their responses within two weeks. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on December 14.

The dispute concerns a historic mosque situated within the Race Course Club premises, which spans approximately 53 acres near the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The mosque is a notified property under the Delhi Waqf Board.

According to the petitioner, electricity and water supplies to the premises were abruptly disconnected on October 7 without any prior notice. Permission to offer prayers inside the mosque has also reportedly been restricted, with authorities citing security concerns. The Muslim community had expressed apprehension that the administration might take steps to remove or demolish the historic mosque.

Earlier, during a hearing on October 29, the Centre’s Land and Development Office (L&DO) had informed the High Court that it would take approximately four weeks to decide on the representation submitted by the Delhi Waqf Board. The office had also assured the court that no steps would be taken to remove or demolish the mosque in the meantime.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar