NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday questioned the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) over the disconnection of electricity and water supply to the Race Course mosque in Lutyens’ Delhi without prior notice, while seeking its response to a petition challenging the withdrawal of essential services.The plea has been filed by the mosque’s imam, Mohd Haroon, after a single judge refused to direct the restoration of the utilities to the religious structure, located on land recently taken over by the Centre for “public purpose”.A bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Renu Bhatnagar issued notice to the NDMC on Haroon’s appeal challenging the October 15 order.Seeking the civic body’s response within two weeks, the bench questioned how the electricity connection could be disconnected without notice and listed the matter for hearing in December.Advocate M Sufian Siddiqui, appearing for Haroon, argued that the mosque was a duly notified waqf property and that its electricity and water connections had been disconnected abruptly without notice or following due process.The lawyer contended that electricity and water were essential facets of Article 21 and could not be withdrawn without due process and statutory safeguards.He submitted that although the action was purportedly based on a High Court order concerning the demolition of surrounding slum clusters, the mosque itself was never part of those proceedings.The appeal also challenged the single judge’s observation that despite occupying the premises uninterruptedly for three decades, the duly appointed imam had no right, title or interest in the mosque.It argued that the single judge’s order was ex facie perverse, fundamentally misconceived and legally unsustainable.
Appeal against NDMC
According to the appeal, NDMC disconnected the existing electricity and water connections serving the mosque and its hujra on October 7, 2026, during the demolition of surrounding jhuggies.“On 07.10.2026, during demolition of the surrounding jhuggies, NDMC disconnected the existing electricity and water connections serving the mosque and hujra… the disconnection was effected without prior intimation, notice or an opportunity of hearing.“No disconnection order, outstanding dues, allegation of theft or statutory violation applicable to the subject connections was disclosed,” the appeal said.The plea further alleged that the civic body acted arbitrarily and without communicating any legal basis for cutting off the utilities.“NDMC disconnected the appellant’s existing electricity supply in an utterly precipitous, high-handed and arbitrary manner, without even intimating the appellant of the proposed action, much less issuing any prior notice, affording an opportunity of hearing or disclosing any statutory authority or reasoned order,” the plea added.
Delhi HC had earlier refused worshippers access to Race Course mosque
A worshipper’s petition seeking protection of the mosque from demolition is also pending before the High Court.On October 29, the High Court had refused to allow worshippers access to the Race Course mosque, situated within the premises of Jaipur Polo Ground.This came even as the Centre assured the court that no coercive action would be taken against the religious structure for the time being.The Centre took over Jaipur Polo Ground in June and the adjoining Delhi Race Club in August.
Krishi Bhawan mosque demolition case also pending
Separately, a petition challenging the proposed demolition of a century-old mosque in Krishi Bhawan is also pending before the High Court. The building is being redeveloped as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment project.Responding to a petition filed by the mosque’s caretakers, the Centre has contended that the religious structure must be removed, arguing that a permanent religious structure within a government office complex is impermissible and incompatible with the “secular” character of government property.(With PTI inputs)
