SC seeks response from Centre, Jindal on mosque demolition

The Supreme Court today sought the Centre's response on a plea alleging that a Jindal Group firm illegally demolished a 16th century mosque in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan, in collusion with the state government to facilitate mining operations there.
The apex court also issued notice and sought the response of Congress MP and Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) Navin Jindal, who has been accused in the PIL of allegedly influencing state administration on the issue.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir has also issued notices to Ministries of Mines, Environment and Forests, Minority Affairs, Home Affairs along with Rajasthan Government, Jindal Saw Ltd, JSPL, the Wakf Board in Jaipur, and the National Commission for Minorities.

The apex court was hearing a PIL filed by a Bhilwara-based registered society, Panchnaykan, which has alleged that "the Jindal Group not only demolished the Qualandari Mosque but also obtained mining lease of an area which included a Muslim grave yard and the same is mutated in the name of JSL by the state government".
Seeking a CBI probe into the matter the petitioner alleged that the Jindal Group entered into an illegal compromise deed with few members of Anjuman Committee for the removal of the mosque for some monetary consideration.
"The said demolition was in violation of section 6 of the Rajasthan Religious Buildings and Places Act, 1954 which provides that no person without obtaining the written consent of the District Collector shall destroy, damage or transfer and public religious building or place. It is submitted that the state administration actively connived in the illegal demolition of the Mosque," the petition said.

The petitioner has also sought action against officials of the state government and JSL as well as quashing of the mining lease granted to the company in 2010.