Sambhal district administration issued notices to owners of 36 structures near Shahi Jama Masjid for alleged building regulation violations and construction without approved plans under the Sambhal Mahayojana 2031. The regulated area runs between Chandausi crossing and Chaudhary Sarai, including localities behind the mosque and extending towards Tandon crossing.

SDM Vikas Chandra said inspections had been conducted twice and notices issued under regulated-area laws. Owners have seven days to reply and will receive a hearing before the competent authority decides further action.

The area saw violence during a court-ordered mosque survey on November 24, 2024; four people died and at least 29, including police personnel, were injured.

The Delhi High Court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to conduct a complete survey of encroachments outside Jama Masjid within two months.

The Delhi High Court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to survey constructions in and around Jama Masjid within two months, verify allegations in a public interest litigation and take action under law if it finds illegal construction, encroachments or unauthorised commercial activity. The Division Bench comprised Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.

Local residents of Old Delhi alleged large-scale encroachment on MCD public parks and open spaces, unauthorised parking at several Jama Masjid gates, commercial exploitation of public land, illegal hawking and misuse of Wakf property. The petition also alleged that chemist shops, unlicensed hospitals, parking facilities, cafes and commercial stalls operated without valid permissions, including in parks and public spaces, obstructing the area and damaging the monument’s heritage character. It sought removal of encroachments and action against unauthorised construction and activities.

The Delhi High Court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to survey constructions in and around Jama Masjid within two months and take appropriate legal action against any illegal construction, including encroachments, buildings and stalls. The order was passed by a Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia on a public interest litigation filed by Old Delhi residents. Petitioners alleged illegal parking, a hospital, hawkers and commercial stalls on public land, and commercial use of Delhi Waqf Board property, including cafes on the mosque terrace. They also sought removal of encroachments in MCD public parks. On the same day, a demolition drive near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid in Turkman Gate, less than 3 km from Jama Masjid, led to clashes; four to five police personnel sustained minor injuries after stones were pelted.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) told the Delhi High Court in an affidavit that declaring Jama Masjid a protected monument would trigger restrictions in the surrounding area and could affect the mosque’s functioning and governance. The mosque is currently under the Delhi Waqf Board’s guardianship; the ASI said it is involved in conservation despite the absence of formal protection, and no steps have been taken to initiate designation.

The court, led by Justice Prathiba M Singh, was disinclined to press for protected status and directed petitioners to recommend alternative safeguards. It said it would examine mosque management more closely. Public interest litigation filed by Suhail Ahmed Khan and Ajay Gautam in 2014 sought removal of encroachments, questioned the absence of ASI protection, and challenged hereditary use of the title “Shahi Imam” and the appointment of the Imam’s son as Naib Imam. The ASI said in 2015 that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured the Shahi Imam the mosque would not be declared protected. The matter is scheduled for hearing in December.