Bombay HC denies nod for prayers at Juma Masjid
The Hindu
Bench cites prevailing COVID-19 situation in Maharashtra
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to grant permission to the Juma Masjid of Bombay Trust to hold namaz five times a day during Ramzan at its mosque. A Division Bench of Justices R.D. Dhanuka and V.G. Bisht was hearing a petition filed by the trust, registered under the Bombay Public Trust and Wakf Act. The plea sought a direction to allow Muslims to offer prayers five times a day at the mosque from April 14 till the end of Ramzan, adhering to social distancing and standard operating procedures in force. Advocate Mohiuddin Vaid, appearing for the trust, said the mosque was spread over one acre and at a time, 7,000 people could offer namaz, which showed that it was quite spacious, and all the standard operating procedures meant to break the chain of COVID-19 could be easily followed and adhered to under the supervision of the police as might be required.More Related News