Demolition work has begun on the upper portions of the disputed Sanjauli mosque in Shimla following explicit directions from the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Acting on the court’s order, the local administration has started dismantling the second, third and fourth floors of the structure, while the ground and first floors remain protected under a judicial stay. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for March 9.
Officials confirmed that the demolition drive is being carried out under strict supervision to ensure compliance with the High Court’s directions and to maintain law and order in the sensitive locality.
What did the High Court order?
While hearing a petition filed by the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board challenging earlier rulings, the High Court instructed the state administration to implement the Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) Court’s order. The court made it clear that the second, third and fourth floors of the mosque must be demolished, while no coercive action should be taken against the ground and first floors until further orders.
The High Court’s direction effectively allowed partial demolition of the structure, balancing enforcement of municipal laws with the pending legal challenge.
The controversy surrounding the Sanjauli mosque dates back to October 5, 2024, when the Shimla Municipal Corporation Court declared the mosque illegal. The matter escalated further in May 2025, when the Shimla District Court ruled that the upper five floors of the structure were unauthorised and constructed in violation of building norms.
Following these rulings, demands for demolition grew louder, particularly from Hindu organisations, which alleged that the structure was illegal and symbolised selective enforcement of municipal laws.
Why are protests continuing?
Several Hindu groups, including the Dev Bhoomi Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, have been holding protests in Shimla, demanding the complete demolition of all unauthorised portions of the mosque. The groups have accused the authorities of delaying action despite clear court orders.
On December 15, members of the Samiti submitted a memorandum to the Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner, urging immediate implementation of the High Court’s directions. The organisation demanded that the demolition process be completed by December 29.
In a strong assertion, the group also stated that it was willing to carry out the demolition free of cost if the authorities or the mosque’s managing committee failed to comply with the court’s orders.
Speaking to the media, Madan Thakur, a member of the Dev Bhoomi Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, said the organisation had clearly conveyed its position to the administration.
“Today, we submitted this memorandum to the Commissioner in the presence of the media. We clearly stated that the High Court has ordered the demolition of the mosque’s upper floors, as per its directions. The court has given time till March 9 for the rest of the matter, and we will wait for that date. However, anything that must be demolished must be demolished now. We have placed this point before the Commissioner,” Thakur told news agency ANI.
Administration assures action
Samiti members alleged selective enforcement of the law and delays in executing court orders, warning that public anger could intensify if authorities failed to act decisively. However, they also said the Municipal Corporation Commissioner had assured them that appropriate action would be taken at the right time and strictly in accordance with legal procedures.
With demolition of the upper floors now underway, the focus will shift to the next hearing scheduled for March 9, when the High Court is expected to take up the remaining issues related to the structure, including the status of the ground and first floors.
