The Supreme Court has stayed the demolition of mosques in the border districts of Rajasthan
Image used for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: ANI
The Supreme Court has granted interim relief to residents affected by the ongoing demolition targeting mosques, madrasas, dargahs, houses and other structures in the border districts of Rajasthan. The Supreme Court, after hearing a petition filed on behalf of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, on Friday (July 17, 2026) ordered that no demolition of properties take place for two weeks and directed the petitioners to approach the Rajasthan High Court bench in Jodhpur.
Fact-finding visit
The petition was filed on behalf of 40 affected people by Jamiat. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, made detailed submissions before a bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe. The litigation followed a fact-finding visit by a high-level delegation of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind to the affected border areas of Rajasthan.
The delegation documented the situation on the ground, met with affected families and collected material related to the demolition proceedings. The visit followed the demolition of at least four mosques in the border districts of Barmer and Jaisalmer last month.
Based on his findings, nearly 40 petitions were filed in the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur on behalf of the affected residents. However, the court rejected the concerns raised by Jamiat on the grounds of national security in sensitive border areas and ruled out discrimination on the basis of religion.
Unceasing demolition
The petitioners then approached the Supreme Court. During the hearing, Mr. Sibal said that demolition proceedings against residential properties, mosques, madrasas and other places are continuing continuously and notices have been issued to hundreds of other residential and religious structures.
After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court ordered that no demolition be carried out on the properties of the petitioners for a period of two weeks. The Court observed that disputes involving disputed questions of fact are more appropriately adjudicated by the appropriate High Court and accordingly permitted the petitioners to seek appropriate relief from the Division Bench of the High Court of Rajasthan, Jodhpur.
Jamiat’s reaction
Reacting to the order, Mahmood Asad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, said the organization would immediately approach the Rajasthan High Court bench. He reiterated that the Muslim body would use all available legal means. “We remain convinced that the rule of law and constitutional values will prevail in the end,” he said.
Published – 18 Jul 2026 18:17 IST