Central Vista: ‘Nothing will happen’ to Waqf Board properties, govt to Delhi HC

In its petition, filed through advocate Wajeeh Shafiq, the Delhi Waqf Board has sought the preservation and protection of six of its properties in the area where the Central Vista redevelopment work is ongoing.

The union government on Wednesday verbally assured the Delhi high court that “nothing will happen” to the heritage properties of the Waqf Board due to the ongoing construction of Central Vista nearby.

The court was hearing a plea by the Delhi Waqf Board for the preservation and protection of its heritage properties that are likely to be impacted by the project. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Noting that it is a “very long plan”, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told justice Sanjeev Sachdeva that the redevelopment is yet to reach the properties in question.

“Kindly have it after three weeks. Nothing is happening to these properties. My learned friend (petitioner) can rest assured. We are before your lordship. It is a very long plan and we have not reached anywhere near it,” Mehta told the court.

The court was hearing a plea by the Delhi Waqf Board for the preservation and protection of its heritage properties that are likely to be impacted by the project.

The court granted time to the Union government and adjourned the matter for January 20.

Appearing for the Waqf Board, senior advocate Sanjoy Ghose urged the court to record the SG’s statement, but the court turned down his request observing that it has “full faith” in the SG.

In its petition, filed through advocate Wajeeh Shafiq, the Delhi Waqf Board has sought the preservation and protection of six of its properties in the area where the redevelopment work is ongoing. The properties include Masjid Zabta Ganj at Mansingh Road, Jama Masjid at Red Cross Road, Masjid Sunehri Bagh Road Near Udyog Bhawan, Mazar Sunehri Bagh Road behind Moti Lal Nehru Marg, Masjid Krishi Bhawan inside Krishi Bhawan Compound and Masjid Vice President at the official residence of the Vice President of India.

Claiming that the six properties “have a distinction attached to them”, the petition has stated that neither the British government nor the government of India ever created any hindrance in the observance of religious practices at these properties which were always preserved.