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.
Officials stressed that legal procedures must be followed before any eviction or demolition.
Mosque Caretaker Moves Court
The petition was filed by Shahid Ali, caretaker of Waqf No. 1249 Masjid Sohrawa, along with others, before the Lucknow bench of the High Court through advocate Syeda Karam Azad.
Taking up the matter urgently, the bench of Justices Surabhanya and Pramod Kumar Srivastava ordered that status quo be maintained until further directions.
The court has fixed June 22 as the next date of hearing.
Relief for Mosque, Tension Eases
The High Court’s order has paused the proposed removal of the mosque and eased immediate tensions in the area.
The case will now depend on the next hearing, where the court is expected to examine the legal status of the land and the claims made by both sides.
