[Gareeb Nawaz Mosque Demolition] Contempt petition filed before Allahabad High Court against local authorities

A contempt petition has been filed in the Allahabad High Court against the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Ram Sanehi Ghat, Uttar Pradesh and other local authorities in the Gareeb Nawaz Mosque demolition case (Sayyed Farooq Ahmad v. Divyanshu Patel and Ors)..The petitioners have prayed for a judicial inquiry to be initiated in the matter..On May 17, a mosque in the Ram Sanehi Ghat tehsil in Uttar Pradesh was demolished by an administrative order. The Gareeb Nawaz Masjid was razed after authorities deemed it an illegal structure..The contempt petition states that the local authorities have not complied with the High Court order which had stayed all demolitions across Uttar Pradesh till May 31, amid the COVID-19 pandemic..[COVID-19] Interim orders of Allahabad High Court, subordinate courts extended till May 31.The petitioners have also prayed that the structure be restored at the expense of the local authorities, and that the area around it be recognized as a mosque area where the Muslim community can worship..The follow reliefs have been sought:1. Initiate contempt proceedings: It has been prayed that contempt proceedings should be initiated against the SDM Ram Sanehi Ghat; Circle Officer, Office Ram Sanehi Ghat; and Inspector, Thana Ram Sanehi Ghat, for their wilful disobedience and failure to comply with the High Court order. 2. Summon the respondents: It has been prayed that all the respondents be summoned and directed to explain their position with respect to the non-compliance with directions (4) and (5) of the High Court order dated April 24.3. Set up a judicial inquiry: It has been prayed that a judicial inquiry into the demolition of the Mosque be initiated.4. Restore the area at the expenses of the local authorities: It has been prayed that the mosque area should be recognized and Muslims be allowed to worship therein. Further, the structure should be restored at the expense of the responsible authorities.5. Instruct law enforcement agencies not to register further frivolous complaints: It has been prayed that no complaints should be filed against locals of the area..The petition moved by Sayyad Farooq Ahmad, through Advocate Mohd. Kumail Haider, reads:"That, such authorization of the demolition of the mosque by the Respondents appears to be not well- thought, hasty and legally misinterpreted, severing through the concept of natural justice and hurting magnanimously the fundamental rights of the Muslims. This incidence is a tale of apathy that portrays the lack of basic understanding within the authorities regarding the minority community and their concerns, suggesting capricious state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh." .Gareeb Nawaz Mosque Demolition: Allahabad High Court stays arrest of Masjid Committee members charged of forging mosque documents.After the demolition of the Mosque, an FIR was registered against President of the Masjid Committee, Mushtaq Ali; Vice-President Waqeel Ahmad; Secretary Mohamad Aneesh; and Dastageer, Afzaal Mohammad Naseem, along with Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board Inspector Mohammad Taha, prompting them to approach the High Court for relief..Last week, a Division Bench of Justices Attau Rahman Masoodi and Ajai Kumar Srivastava said that no coercive action should be taken against the petitioners. The State has been granted three weeks to file its counter affidavit. The order states,"In the meantime, it is provided that until a police report under Section 173(2) Cr.P.C. is filed, the petitioners shall not be subjected to any coercive measures. It is made clear that the petitioners shall co-operate with the investigation and shall not evade their presence as and when called for.".Gareeb Nawaz Mosque Demolition: Allahabad High Court stays arrest of Masjid Committee members charged of forging mosque documents