New Delhi: Delhi Waqf Board has sought protection of the nearly 300-year-old Race Course mosque after its electricity and water connections were allegedly disconnected during a demolition drive on Oct 7.In a letter to the authorities on Oct 19, the board’s CEO, Tanvir Ahmad, said, “The mosque and the adjoining qabristan, spread over two bighas, were notified waqf properties under a Delhi administration gazette notification dated Sept 8, 1977. The mosque is under the direct management and control of Delhi Waqf Board, with an imam appointed by the board conducting five daily prayers.”The letter, marked to the ministries of minority affairs and home affairs, and divisional commissioner and DM of New Delhi district, stated the electricity and water links were snapped during removal of jhuggis without any prior notice or apparent valid reason.“This was despite the mosque having a lawful electricity connection since 1976,” it said, noting the mosque is included in NDMC’s heritage list at No. 22 and registered on UMEED portal.The letter alleges that some persons identifying themselves as officers of Land and Development Office (L&DO) visited the mosque on Oct 17 and directed the imam to vacate the premises within three days, stating the mosque would subsequently be removed. Seeking urgent intervention, the board asked the authorities to examine the matter on priority and restore the electricity and water supply.Sources in the ministry of housing and urban affairs stated that L&DO had not issued any notice to the mosque. NDMC did not respond to questions regarding the discontinuation of power and water connections.Ahmad also confirmed that no demolition order had been served. However, Maulana MM Haroon Rahi from the mosque said people were not being allowed to enter the area to offer prayers.During a visit Wednesday, TOI found entry place restricted, with police personnel deployed in and around the site. Debris and ruins of demolished jhuggis were visible near the closed gate. The 53.2 acres of land belongs to L&DO and was handed over to CPWD for maintenance and development.“People, including those coming to offer prayers, were restricted from entering the place to stop encroachers coming again. The demolition happened a few days ago and debris is yet to be removed,” a source said.On the water and power supply being cut off, he said the connections were in the name of imam, not the waqf board.In Oct 2025, a notice was issued to occupants of Bhai Ram Camp, Masjid Camp and DID Camp slum clusters in Race Course Road area, directing them to vacate govt land and relocate to Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board’s (DUSIB) colony in Savda Ghevra within 15 days. Referring to a joint survey conducted by L&DO and DDA in Jan 2024 for the rehabilitation of JJ clusters, it said, “Although the occupants are considered unauthorised occupants of govt land, those found eligible under DUSIB policy have been identified for relocation.”
