Interim relief maintains the status quo for now, yet the court asks the mosque committee to find new land with railway support; next hearing on May 15
PRAYAGRAJ — The Allahabad High Court has put a temporary stop to the proposed demolition of the Sangmarmar Mosque near Prayagraj Junction, offering short-term relief to the mosque committee. However, its direction to look for alternative land has led to concern and uncertainty among local Muslims.
The court passed the interim order on Monday while hearing a petition filed by the Sangmarmar Mosque Intazamia Committee, which challenged a notice issued by the North Central Railway for the removal of the structure as part of station redevelopment work.
A bench comprising Justice Arindam Sinha and Justice Satyaveer Singh directed status quo until the next hearing. This means the mosque will not be demolished or altered for the time being.
At the same time, the court asked the petitioners to begin identifying suitable alternative land for relocation of the mosque. It also directed the railway authorities to help in this process.
“The present position shall be maintained until suitable alternative arrangements are made,” the court observed.
The mosque, located at the entrance of the busy railway station, has been in existence for several years. The railway authorities had issued a notice for its removal as part of ongoing modernisation and expansion plans. The deadline for compliance expired on April 27, prompting the mosque committee to approach the court.
A member of the mosque committee said, “We have got temporary relief, but the order has also created worry. Finding suitable land is not easy, and this mosque holds emotional and religious value for the community.”
Locals echoed similar concerns. One resident said, “We respect the law, but there should be a fair solution that protects our place of worship.”
Legal observers note that while the court has protected the structure for now, the direction for relocation indicates that the matter is not fully settled. “The relief is interim. The outcome will depend on arguments from both sides and the availability of alternative land,” a lawyer familiar with the case said.
The court has fixed May 15 as the next date of hearing. Both the railway authorities and the mosque committee are expected to present detailed submissions before the bench.
Until then, the future of the Sangmarmar Mosque remains uncertain, with the community hoping for a solution that respects both development needs and religious sentiments.
