New court official to probe construction inside Jama Masjid

Justice Rajiv Shakdher appointed lawyer Saqib as new court commissioner, following a request by city government's counsel Najimi Waziri earlier that he be excused from the assignment.

The court also asked lawyer Saqib to visit the Jama Masjid site to verify allegations that Shahi Imam with his other brothers were illegally encroaching sites inside the mosque premises.

The court also asked the new court commissioner to file his status report within two weeks and posted the matter for December 18 for hearing.

While appointing Saqib as court commissioner, Justice Shakdher said in his order, "Advocate Najimi Waziri expressed personal difficulties in continuing as the court commissioner. Accordingly, Saqib is going to be the court commissioner, necessary assistance would be given to him by the police. Status report would be filed in two weeks."

The court had earlier asked its commissioner to visit the mosque with the MCD and police officials to ascertain the correct position. It had also ordered demolition of the structures, if found illegal by the committee appointed by it.

Petitioner Suhail Ahmed Khan had alleged that Bukhari with his brothers had started illegal construction and encroached a government land adjacent to historical Jama Masjid.

Seeking legal action against Jama Masjid Imam and his brothers, petitioner had asked the court to immediately restrain them from an ongoing unauthorised illegal construction over encroached government land.