Delhi HC Orders Centre, ASI to Locate Missing File on Jama Masjid Status

The Delhi High Court has mandated the Union Culture Ministry and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to produce a missing file regarding the historic Jama Masjid’s protected status, Muslim Mirror reported yesterday.

The order, issued on August 28, follows public interest litigation (PIL) petitions advocating for the mosque’s designation as a protected monument and the removal of encroachments around it.

A bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma expressed concern over the absence of crucial documents, emphasizing the need for accountability. The court highlighted that the original letter from former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which stated that the Jama Masjid would not be declared a protected monument, is missing from the file.

The ASI informed the court that efforts are underway to locate the document, which was initially presented in 2018. The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 27, warning that failure to produce the complete file would result in action against responsible officials.