The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the proposed demolition of parts of six historic mosques in Varanasi’s Dalmandi area, holding that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, does not stop the government from acquiring land for public infrastructure projects.
The case concerns an ongoing road widening and beautification project in Dalmandi, a densely populated commercial locality in Varanasi. The redevelopment plan involves the demolition of several buildings, including portions of six mosques, affecting residents, shopkeepers and businesses in the area.
The petition was filed by Syed Rashid Ali and six other shopkeepers, who are tenants in the affected locality. They challenged both their eviction and the planned demolition of parts of Anjuman Intizamia Masjid, Masjid Rangeele Shah, Masjid Ali Raza Khan, Masjid Karimullah Beg, Masjid Nisaran and Masjid Sangmarmar.
The petitioners argued that these mosques existed before August 15, 1947, and were protected under the Places of Worship Act, which preserves the religious character of places of worship. They also said the demolition would affect the community’s right to worship and leave many traders and families without their source of livelihood.
A Division Bench of Justice J.J. Munir and Justice Arun Kumar rejected the plea, observing that the law protects the religious character of places of worship but does not prohibit the government from acquiring land for genuine public purposes.
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