Overview
- A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta declined to interfere with the Madhya Pradesh High Court decision upholding the state’s action.
- The High Court had ruled that the land was lawfully acquired for the Mahakal Lok parking expansion and that Article 25 does not attach religious practice to a particular site.
- The mosque, described as about 200 years old and notified as waqf in 1985, was demolished in January after an award of compensation.
- The petitioners sought reconstruction and an inquiry into officials, while disputing that compensation was properly disbursed and alleging payment to unauthorized persons.
- The Supreme Court refused to reopen factual issues, noted that an earlier acquisition challenge was withdrawn, and directed that any compensation disputes be pursued under existing law.