Shimla, Oct. 30 -- A local court in Shimla has upheld the municipal commissioner's order declaring the Sanjauli mosque unauthorised and directed the demolition of the entire five-storey structure, putting an end to a 16-year-old legal battle.

The court of additional district and sessions judge Yajuvender Singh on Thursday dismissed two appeals filed by the Muslim Welfare Society and the Waqf Board, which had challenged the May 3, 2025 order of the Shimla municipal corporation (MC) declaring the mosque's five floors illegal. A detailed judgment is awaited.

Advocate Jagatpal Thakur, the counsel for local residents, said, "All five floors of the disputed structure in Sanjauli will be demolished. The entire construction is unauthorised. Thi...