Markaz Nizamuddin mosque can reopen during Ramzan, conditions to stay: Delhi Police

Almost two years after Markaz Nizamuddin was locked and public entry was prohibited in connection with a case alleging violation of Covid norms, the High Court on March 16 said devotees, irrespective of their number, be allowed to offer prayers on Masjid Bangley Wali’s four floors –ground and three other floors – on Shab-e-Barat.

Police earlier had said less than 100 persons would be permitted on each floor.

The Delhi Waqf Board’s petition for easing restrictions at Markaz Nizamuddin will be heard by the court on Friday. The board is seeking permission to hold prayers on all floors of the mosque.

Last year, only 50 persons were permitted to hold prayers at the mosque on Shab-e-Barat and during the month of Ramzan. Permission then also was granted based on a court order.

According to the conditions set out by the police, fully vaccinated people or asymptomatic persons will be allowed inside the premises. The re-opening is only for the purposes of holding namaz and other religious prayers, and no lodging is permitted inside the premises during the period for which permission has been granted.

The Waqf Board, in the petition filed through advocate Wajeeh Shafiq in February 2021, has submitted that Masjid Bangley Wali, Madarsa Kashif-ul-uloom, and the attached hostel situated at Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin have been locked since March 2020. The Centre has told the court that the premises has been kept “under lock and key” in view of the fact that the Markaz management is itself under investigation in the case registered in 2020 by the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch in connection with violation of Covid guidelines.