Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board on Friday presented an 18-year-old document in the district court, in which Latif Mohammad has been named as the chairman of the committee formed for the disputed Sanjauli Mosque.
The court on Monday had directed the Waqf Board to file an affidavit explaining in what capacity Latif Mohammad had offered to demolish the three unauthorized floors of the disputed mosque.
All Himachal Muslim Organization (AHMO) lawyer Vishwa Bhushan said that in response, the Waqf Board produced a document of 2006, in which Latif Mohammad was appointed chairman of the Sanjauli Masjid Committee.
He said that according to the Waqf Act, the tenure of the committee members is five years.
Latif told reporters, “The Waqf Board has said in its reply that I have been the chairman of the Sanjauli Masjid Committee since 2006 and the Municipal Commissioner Court had also served notice on me as the chairman in September.”
A section of local people is demanding the demolition of Sanjauli Mosque. On September 11, 10 people were injured during a protest against the alleged illegal addition of the mosque.
A day later, Latif Mohammed and others had sought permission from the Municipal Commissioner, offering to demolish three ‘unauthorised’ floors of the mosque.
The Municipal Commissioner’s court on October 5 granted permission to demolish the illegal portion and gave two months time to complete the work, following which AHMO filed an appeal against the order in the district court.
The next hearing of the case has been fixed for November 30.
