In Mumbai, the Bombay High Court has told the Thane Municipal Corporation that they must show citizens that breaking the law isn’t okay. The court criticized the corporation for not knocking down an illegal mosque. Justices A.S. Gadkari and Kamal Khata ordered the Thane Corporation to demolish the mosque within two weeks after Ramadan ends, which is by April 14.
The court didn’t accept the corporation’s excuse that people protested and stopped the demolition. They said that in a democratic society, no one can refuse to follow the law. It’s important for law enforcement to ensure everyone understands that breaking the law won’t be accepted.
The court’s order came after a private housing company, New Shree Swami Samartha Borivade, complained that their land—about four and a half acres—was taken over by a trust that built a mosque and a prayer hall without permission. The Thane Municipal Corporation had told this trust in January to demolish the illegal structure in 15 days or face consequences.
Earlier this month, the Corporation told the court that they had started to demolish the mosque, but they couldn’t finish because a big crowd had gathered for prayers. The court questioned what the Corporation did to stop such a large illegal construction in the first place.
The court instructed the Thane Municipal Corporation to finish demolishing the mosque as soon as Ramadan is over, confirming that the trust won’t oppose the demolition. The High Court said they should complete it by April 14.
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