Plea Filed in Delhi High Court Seeking Protection of Waqf Properties Amid Central Vista Redevelopment Project
(Judicial Quest News Network)
A petition has been moved before Delhi High Court on Tuesday seeking preservation and protection of religious/waqf properties of Historical importance amid the ongoing central vista redevelopment project.
The petitioner, Delhi Waqf Board, which is a Statutory Body incorporated under Section 13 of the Waqf Act, 1995 and invested under Section 32 of the said Act with the powers and duties to manage and control the Waqf Properties situated in NCT of Delhi, invokes the Writ Jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. High Court sought Centre’s stand on the petition.
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva asked the Centre to seek instructions in the matter while posting the case for further hearing on September 29.
The Properties which are old and important places of worship and are likely to be impacted by the ongoing Central Vista Redevelopment Project.
As a matter of abundant caution, the petitioner seeks leave to clarify that the petitioner is not in any manner seeking any order or direction against the respondent in respect of continuation of Central Vista Project and does not in any manner seek to delay or obstruct the same.
Senior Advocate Sanjoy Ghosh requested an assurance from SGI in the matter with regards to protection of the properties till next date of hearing.
The petition is moved through Advocate Wajeeh Shafiq, and place reliance on social media posts stating that due to the Central Vista Redevelopment Project various mosques and other waqf properties were facing demolition.
The petitioner further contended thatill date neither any steps have been taken by the respondent to clarify on the status of the waqf properties nor any assurance is given in respect of the waqf properties mentioned in the aforesaid chart.
This silence is in fact intriguing It is submitted with utmost respect that as the petitioner being a Statutory Authority invested with the power to manage and control the waqf properties under Section 32 of the Waqf Act, 1995, hence, any action by the Union of India, which causes or. is likely to cause any restriction upon the petitioner’s aforesaid power or jeopardizes the waqf properties or any of waqf property itself, clearly tantamount to the infraction of the petitioner’s aforesaid Statutory Right.
The petitioner further submitted that as per the information available on the internet the existing Vice President House is to be demolished as the official residence of the, Hon’ble the Vice President is to be built behind North Block, besides the offices located in Krishi l3hawan and Udyog Bhawan are also to be shifted to other places in Central Vista Redevelopment Project and those two Bhawans are also to be demolished.
The plea prays for direction on the Centre to preserve the original shape, from and use of all the waqf properties situated in or around the Central Vista Redevelopment Project or other projects allied to it, along with the easements attached to those properties.
