The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has stayed the proposed action by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to remove a mosque located in Kazijot village along the Bahraich-Nanpara Highway (NH-927) in Uttar Pradesh.
The court said that no further action can be taken against the mosque without its permission and directed that any future steps will be subject to its next order.
The decision has temporarily halted the demolition process and brought relief to the mosque management.
NHAI Had Sought Removal of Alleged Encroachment
The controversy began after NHAI Project Director Prashant Kumar Bajeti wrote to the city magistrate on June 15, requesting June 16 as the date for removing the alleged encroachment, identified as Kelu Masjid, in Sohrawar Kazijot village on National Highway 927.
The letter also sought police deployment during the operation.
Soon after, the letter went viral on social media, sparking concerns and tension in the area.
District Administration Called for Legal Process
Following the circulation of the letter, Akshay Tripathi said that no action would be taken without completing all legal formalities.
The district administration clarified that any decision regarding the mosque would only be taken after issuing proper notices to the affected parties, measuring the land, and verifying all relevant facts.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com. Read the full story here.
