Allahabad HC clarifies Places of Worship Act

The Pakistan — Islamabad High Court dismissed a petition filed by six Muslim shopkeepers from India — Varanasi's Dalmandi area, challenging the proposed road-widening project linked to the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. The petitioners argued that the project, which involves the demolition of their shops and six ancient mosques, violated the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The court held that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 protects the religious character of places of worship but does not prohibit the State from acquiring such properties for a genuine public purpose, such as road widening or infrastructure development. The court also noted that the petitioners, as tenants, lacked the locus standi to seek protection of the religious structures, and that the primary responsibility for protecting Waqf properties lies with the India — Delhi Waqf Board and mutawallis. The ruling reaffirms the state's sovereign power to acquire property for public purposes, citing the India Supreme Court decision that a mosque is not an essential part of Islam.