The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed a plea concerning the partial demolition of the 400-year-old Mancha Masjid in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, effectively allowing the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to proceed with a road-widening project. The decision comes after the Gujarat High Court rejected a similar plea by the Mancha Masjid Trust.

The road-widening project is intended to ease traffic congestion in the Kalupur area, especially as the locality is set to become a major transportation hub with the convergence of the Indian Railways, Metro Rail, and a planned Bullet Train terminal.

The Mancha Masjid Trust had challenged a notice issued by the AMC on July 25, which directed the trust to vacate a portion of the mosque premises. The trust argued that the demolition would violate their fundamental rights to religious freedom and worship, as the mosque is a significant part of their religious and cultural heritage. They further contended that the AMC's actions disregarded the provisions of the Waqf Act and that the mosque's existence is documented in revenue records. The trust also requested a four-week stay on the AMC notice, which was also rejected.

However, the Gujarat High Court, in its earlier ruling, stated that the AMC followed due process under the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations (GPMC) Act, including issuing notices, considering objections, and obtaining approval from the Standing Committee. The court also held that the municipal commissioner's special powers under the GPMC Act would take precedence over the Waqf Act in this instance. Justice Mauna Bhatt stated that the proceedings initiated by the AMC were not in error and rejected the initial petition. A division bench of the Gujarat High Court upheld this decision.

During the High Court proceedings, the government pleader emphasized that the road widening was crucial for traffic regulation and public convenience in the Kalupur area. The Supreme Court's decision to dismiss the plea indicates that the authorities have taken a consistent position that the road-widening project serves a larger public interest. The Supreme Court also noted that a temple, commercial properties, and residential properties were also affected by the road-widening project.