The Allahabad High Court has stayed the demolition of the 180-year-old Noori Jama Masjid in Fatehpur after part of the structure was removed during road-widening. The court acted on a petition challenging the threat to the historic mosque.
The Allahabad High Court intervened to prevent the Uttar Pradesh government from proceeding with further demolition at the 180-year-old Noori Jama Masjid in Fatehpur, following reports that part of the mosque was demolished during road-widening efforts.
A bench consisting of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Arun Kumar issued the interim order on Thursday while considering a writ petition filed by the mosque’s managing committee.
The committee argued that authorities had already taken down part of the historic structure based on a notice issued last year and expressed concerns about the mosque’s ongoing vulnerability due to the continued road-widening work.
During the proceedings, the state’s counsel informed the court that the necessary demolition for the adjoining road’s expansion had been completed.
However, the petitioner countered this claim, asserting that the work was not finished and that additional demolition could occur if the court did not intervene.
In light of the conflicting statements, the state government’s standing counsel guaranteed that no more demolition would be conducted until the next hearing.
The court documented this assurance in its order, stating,
“Till the next date of listing, no further action of the demolition shall take place in the mosque.”
Recognizing the urgency related to the road-widening initiative, the bench scheduled the case for November 17, emphasizing the necessity for the state to file its response by then.
Situated in Lalauli village of Fatehpur district, the Noori Jama Masjid has stood for over 180 years, showcasing the architectural styles of its era.
The petitioner noted that the mosque has historically been a religious, cultural, and social hub for the local Muslim community and continues to operate as an active place of worship.
In 2023, the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department issued a notice indicating plans to demolish a critical part of the mosque to facilitate the widening of NH-335, which included acquiring 40 feet of land on both sides of the highway over a two-kilometer stretch, affecting approximately 150 square feet of the mosque’s structure.
The issue will be revisited on November 17.
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