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.