NDMC notice to managers of Jorbagh’s Qanati mosque

Despite a ban by the Delhi High Court, several people carried out alterations to the centuries-old Qanati Masjid, a listed heritage structure in Jorbagh’s BK Dutt Colony, local residents have alleged. Nivedita Khandekar reports.

Despite a ban by the Delhi High Court, several people carried out alterations to the centuries-old Qanati Masjid, a listed heritage structure in Jorbagh’s BK Dutt Colony, local residents have alleged.

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New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has issued a notice to Anjuman-e-Haidari, the organisation managing the dargah and other religious structures, in this connection.

Qanati Masjid is a listed heritage property and hence no alteration can be done to it. There has been a history of dispute for the past three years between the area residents and the Anjuman. The residents have shot letters to various authorities, alleging that the Anjuman representatives dug up pits to erect iron pillars to construct a shed over the wall of the mosque.

“They broke portions of the heritage wall from the top level to put the shed,” alleged Karamvir Singh Nagar and Sohan Lal Gadi, president and general secretary of the Welfare Association of Batukeshwar Dutt Colony in their letters to NDMC, Delhi Police, Lt Governor and the Heritage Conservation Committee.

Mahmood Pracha, a lawyer connected with the case, said: “The land mafia is hand in glove with some officers of the NDMC, Delhi Development Authority, Land and Development Office and Delhi Police. They want to create a communal situation for their own gain. No construction is being carried out there. They are just fixing the tent that had been damaged by the rain.”