Delhi HC stays renovation of mosque inside its premises

The Delhi High Court today stayed renovation work at a mosque inside its premises and directed "status quo" to be maintained till the court's Building Maintenance and Construction Committee holds its next meeting to discuss the matter.
A group of lawyers made an oral submission before the High Court, saying that some people associated with Hindu religious groups were protesting in front of the construction site.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the issue, a vacation bench of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog directed "status quo be maintained till the High Court's Building Maintenance and Construction Committee holds its next meeting to discuss the issue."

The committee comprises of High Court Judges, justices S Ravindra Bhat, G S Sistani, Mukta Gupta and Najmi Waziri.
The court also asked a nodal officer, appointed by it, to monitor the issue and submit a compliance report of its order.
It also asked the police to ensure that law and order is maintained within the court complex.

The mosque has been in use for years for offering prayers by Muslim lawyers and litigants.
However, due to some religious reasons some Hindu outfits have been protesting against it for the last few years.
The lawyers claimed that the police was unable to control the mob which was shouting slogans and protesting at the site against the ongoing construction.

The High Court is currently not working at its full strength on account of the ongoing winter break.