The Supreme Court sent the Delhi Waqf Board empty handed, which came to the Supreme Court to get permission to offer prayers of Namaz in Qutub Minar Complex. The court flatly refused to hear the board's plea. But when the apex court came to know that the center had banned the offering of prayers without issuing any order, the division bench ordered the Delhi High Court to hear the matter immediately.

Delhi Waqf Board urged before the Supreme Court that the month of Ramzan is going on. Therefore, understanding the sentiments of the Muslim community, they have decided to offer namaz in the Mughal mosque, therefore, give permission.

A bench of Supreme Court Justice Krishna Murari and Justice CT Ravi Kumar told the counsel for the petitioner that they cannot interfere in the matter. The bench asked the counsel for the petitioner that the Center has issued any order to stop offering Namaz at Qutub Minar Complex.

Waqf Board's counsel said that no such order was issued. We were forcibly stopped from entering the complex using the force. After listening to the answer of the lawyer, both the judges got angry. They said that how can the government do this without issuing orders. The Delhi High Court was asked to go into the details of the matter and hear it and pass an order in the matter at the earliest.

The Delhi Waqf Board's counsel told the Supreme Court that the Mughal mosque in the Qutub Minar complex was its property under a notification dated 16th April, 1970. An Imam has been appointed in the Masjid so that prayers can be offered there. He told the Court that their appeal is pending with the Delhi High Court. But the hearing is happening at a very slow pace. I don't think justice will be done.

According to the Waqf Board, on 6th and 13th May, 2022, only five people went to the mosque to offer prayers and they were stopped. Central government officials said that they cannot offer Namaz there. In its reply filed in the Delhi High Court, the Center has said that this mosque is a heritage. The Saket court has also held the same view. The Waqf Board said that the issue before the Saket court is about another mosque.

Case Details:-

SLP(C) No. 5671/2023
THE MANAGING COMMITTEE OF DELHI WAQF BOARD
Versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.