By Muslim Mirror Staff

New Delhi: The Kerala High Court has stayed a notice issued by the Lakshadweep administration to demolish a long-standing madrassa. The court asked the administration to file a counter affidavit within four weeks, Live Law reported.

The Court was hearing a petition filed by  Zainul Abid, the president of Al Madrasathul Uloomiya situated in Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep. The petitioner had moved the court challenging a show-cause notice issued by the Administration to demolish and evict the Madrassa from its allotted premises.

The petitioner pointed out that, “the show-cause notice was issued invoking Regulation 15 of Laccadive Minicoy and Aminidivi Islands Land Revenue and Tenancy Regulation, 1965 and Rule 15 of the Laccadive, Minicoy and Aminidivi Islands Land Tenancy Rules,1968 to evict the madrassa from the land it presently occupies.”

It was also argued that according to the provisions of said Regulation, the jurisdictional authority was required to pass an order allowing or declining permission to divert the land before issuing the notice.

Moreover, the petitioner submitted that the Deputy Collector issued the aforementioned notice, who is not a competent authority as per the Regulations.