Uttarakhand: Nainital’s Jama Masjid faces scrutiny over missing construction permits and authority oversight

The historic Jama Masjid in Nainital has come under scrutiny, raising questions about the legal permissions and administrative oversight surrounding its expansion and reconstruction. This prominent mosque, situated in the heart of Nainital, reportedly underwent significant renovation and expansion in 2004-05 and again in 2016. Activist Nitin Karki, who filed a Right to Information (RTI) request, claims that documents detailing permissions for this expansion are missing from government records, leading to increased calls for accountability from the local administration. According to various reports, including one from Jagran.com on April 30, 2022, the Jama Masjid dates back to 1882. Built by British authorities, it originally served as a small place of worship for Muslim soldiers in the colonial army. Over the years, however, the mosque has seen significant expansion, transforming into a four-story structure that now commands a central position in the scenic hill station. The Lake Development Authority (LDA), which oversees urban planning in Nainital, is known for strict regulations. Locals are often required to obtain permission for even minor modifications to properties. Yet, the mosque’s expansion reportedly took place without official consent, as per claims from RTI activist Nitin Karki. He argues that if permissions had been obtained, they would have been recorded and accessible through the RTI process, suggesting potential lapses in administrative protocol. In 2004-05, during the tenure of former Chief Minister ND Tiwari, the mosque underwent its first major renovation. Despite the LDA’s location within close proximity, activists allege that then-secretary Urva Dutt Chain remained silent, allegedly influenced by local political leaders. This silence, Karki argues, allowed a “luxurious” four-story structure to emerge, ostensibly in violation of LDA norms, which mandate specific setbacks and adherence to a prescribed height limit for buildings. Karki’s RTI inquiry highlights the potential discrepancies in the handling of religious constructions in Nainital, where similar expansions or renovations at Hindu and Sikh religious sites often receive LDA-issued notices and enforcement. The funding for the mosque’s expansion has also been questioned. According to local sources, financial contributions came from both the local Muslim community and external sources, which helped transform the modest structure into a sizable building. This renovation reportedly stalled briefly due to local objections but later resumed. Under the administration of then-Chief Minister Harish Rawat in 2016, an additional tall tower was added to the mosque, further exceeding the LDA’s height restrictions. Critics argue that this latest expansion was permitted without any documented permissions, leading to suspicions of political influence. The administration’s lack of action on the matter, despite a Supreme Court order mandating official permissions for all religious construction and renovation projects, has added to the controversy. The mosque’s prominent position on the main road, along with the encroachment of its stairs onto the street, has raised further safety concerns. The structure reportedly obstructs a narrow turn where the risk of accidents is high. Activists claim that the construction would have required a significant portion of land to be left open, had it adhered to the LDA’s building guidelines. Nitin Karki has repeatedly emphasised the need for transparency, urging the administration to reveal any records regarding approvals, fees, or compliance with the LDA’s norms. Karki and others argue that the handling of this mosque’s expansion exposes inconsistencies in the enforcement of urban planning regulations across religious institutions in Nainital. The district administration is yet to respond to Karki’s RTI request, leaving the timeline and conditions under which the mosque’s expansion occurred officially unaddressed. Karki and other local activists continue to demand an investigation into the matter, arguing that the preservation of Nainital’s heritage and adherence to regulatory standards should be maintained across all religious sites. With public attention on the issue intensifying, the administration faces increasing pressure to clarify its role and provide records of any permissions granted.