Prayagraj, Sept. 11 -- The Allahabad High Court has sought a counter-affidavit from the state government within three weeks on a petition challenging the demolition of a mosque located within the Saharanpur District Collectorate premises.

The court has also stayed the recovery of Rs 6.41 crore in damages imposed on the mosque by the City Magistrate, Saharanpur, until further orders.

The court issued notice to respondent no. 2 and directed the state government to file its response within three weeks.

The matter was heard by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal in his single-judge bench. The petition has been filed by Mohammad Tanveer Ahmed, Mutawalli of the mosque committee, seeking a direction to restrain further action in connection with the ...