The Indian Express   01.08.2012

North agency to remove structure at disputed site within 15 days

A day after the High Court
ordered to demolish the illegal construction at the disputed site, where
the remains believed to be that of the Akbarabadi Masjid was excavated,
the North Corporation on Tuesday said the the structure will be razed
in 15 days.

The civic body on Monday evening wrote to the Delhi Police
Commissioner to provide adequate security to carry out the demolition.
In the letter, the corporation also cited the contents of a letter sent
to them by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

“The ASI had written to the corporation on July 19 requesting us
to demolish the unauthorised construction, which had come up in the
Subhash Park within 15 days. We have now fixed the same deadline to
procure the required force and follow the direction of the High Court,”
said Pawan Sharma, Additional Commissioner of North Corporation. The
decision was taken in an urgent internal meeting convened after the
court’s ruling.

Artefacts and masonry were unearthed in Subhash Park on July 5,
during digging work carried out under the leadership of Matia Mahal MLA
Shoaib Iqbal. He termed the findings part of the Mughal-era Akbarabadi
Masjid and started constructing a structure resembling the ancient
mosque.

“The court in its order has certified the structure erected at
the site as illegal. The mosque was constructed in the regulated zone,
where no construction is permitted without an approval of National
Monument Authority. Hence a decision has been taken to carry out the
needful at the earliest,” said Sharma.

However, sources revealed that the corporation will have to extend
the date of demolition by a few days as Independence Day was close.
“The Delhi Police might not be able to provide adequate force as they
need to provide security ahead of the Independence Day. Also, since the
Ramzan is underway, police will be wary to provide force. The safe date
to carry out the action is August 20 after Ramzan,” said an official.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Iqbal has decided to move the Supreme Court
demanding a stay order on the demolition. “We respect the judgement of
the High Court, but we are going to appeal to the SC demanding a stay
order on the demolition exercise,” said Iqbal.