Delhi Waqf Board Seeks Protection For 300-Year-Old Race Course Mosque After Water, Power Cut

News india Delhi Waqf Board Seeks Protection For 300-Year-Old Race Course Mosque After Water, Power Cut

Last Updated:October 22, 2026, 07:58 IST

The communication was marked to the ministries of minority affairs and home affairs, as well as the divisional commissioner and the district magistrate of New Delhi.

The Delhi Waqf Board has sought urgent protection for a nearly 300-year-old mosque on Race Course Road after its electricity and water connections were allegedly disconnected during a demolition drive on October 7.

In a letter dated October 19, the board’s CEO, Tanvir Ahmad, informed the authorities that the mosque and its adjoining qabristan, spread across two bighas, were notified waqf properties under a Delhi administration gazette notification issued on September 8, 1977.

“The mosque is under the direct management and control of the Delhi Waqf Board, with an imam appointed by the board conducting five daily prayers," Ahmad said in the letter.

The communication was marked to the ministries of minority affairs and home affairs, as well as the divisional commissioner and the district magistrate of New Delhi. It alleged that the electricity and water connections were disconnected during the removal of jhuggis without prior notice or any apparent valid reason.

“This was despite the mosque having a lawful electricity connection since 1976," the letter stated. It also noted that the mosque features on the New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) heritage list at number 22 and is registered on the UMEED portal.

Board Alleges Threat Of Demolition, Seeks Urgent Intervention

The board further alleged that some individuals identifying themselves as Land and Development Office (L&DO) officers visited the mosque on October 17 and instructed the imam to vacate the premises within three days, warning that the structure would subsequently be removed, the Times of India reported.

Seeking immediate intervention, the Waqf Board urged the authorities to look into the matter on priority and restore the electricity and water supply.

L&DO Has Not Issued Notice To Mosque

However, sources in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said the L&DO had not issued any notice to the mosque. The NDMC did not respond to queries regarding the disconnection of the two utilities, TOI added.

Ahmad also confirmed that no demolition order had been served. Meanwhile, Maulana MM Haroon Rahi, who is associated with the mosque, said people were being prevented from entering the area to offer prayers.

The 53.2-acre plot belongs to the L&DO and has been handed over to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) for maintenance and development.

Slum Dwellers Were Asked To Vacate Govt Land

In October 2025, occupants of the Bhai Ram Camp, Masjid Camp and DID Camp slum clusters in the Race Course Road area were issued a notice directing them to vacate government land and relocate to a Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) colony in Savda Ghevra within 15 days.

The notice referred to a joint survey conducted by the L&DO and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in January 2024 for the rehabilitation of Jhuggi-Jhopri (JJ) clusters. It stated, “Although the occupants are considered unauthorised occupants of govt land, those found eligible under DUSIB policy have been identified for relocation."

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Aanchal SinhaSub Editor

Aanchal is the Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than four years of experience in national and international news. My work involves covering breaking news, politics, current affairs and developments...Read More

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