Overview
- On November 7, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed a special leave petition and let the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s orders stand.
- The mosque was demolished in January after the state acquired the site for parking and redevelopment linked to the Mahakal Lok–Mahakaleshwar Temple complex.
- The High Court had held that the acquisition was lawful and cited precedent that the right to practise religion does not attach to a specific place of worship.
- The Supreme Court noted an earlier challenge to the acquisition was withdrawn and declined requests for reconstruction, with Justice Nath stating, “Too late now, nothing can be done.”
- Petitioners said the roughly 200-year-old mosque was notified as waqf in 1985 and disputed compensation disbursal, and the court indicated such claims can be pursued through appropriate legal channels.