Allahabad HC clears way for Dalmandi Street widening in Varanasi

It matters to citizens as it concerns the legal protection of livelihoods, property rights, and the status of six pre-1947 mosques proposed for demolition.

Who it concerns: The petitioners are six tenants and shopkeepers of Dalmandi Market/Street, Varanasi. The respondents are the State of U.P., Nagar Nigam Varanasi, Varanasi Development Authority, and the Public Works Department (PWD). The public affected includes other shopkeepers, residents, and the Muslim community in the Dalmandi area.

What was decided

• The petitioners seek a mandamus to prevent their arbitrary dispossession from six specific shops (CK43/168-169, CK68/1, CK69/32, CK43/147, CK68/36, CK43/181) in Dalmandi Market.
• The petitioners seek protection against the use of police and paramilitary forces to force them out or harass them.
• The petitioners seek a direction to preserve six mosques (Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, Masjid Rangile Shah, Masjid Ali Raza Khan, Masjid Karimullah Baig, Masjid Nisaran, and Masjid Sangamarmar) alleged to have been constructed before August 15, 1947.
• The petitioners seek an alternative street development near the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor instead of widening Dalmandi Street.
• The State issued Government Orders dated 31.03.2025 and 30.07.2025 allocating ₹21,588.24 lakhs for widening and beautifying Dalmandi Street.
• The petitioners allege that 29 buildings were demolished between 09.02.2026 and the date of the petition based on a representation regarding dilapidated structures, without following the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
• The petitioners claim that PWD, via an RTI reply, confirmed the six mosques are proposed for acquisition and demolition.

Also in the document

• The Dalmandi Market is described as a 650-meter stretch with 187 buildings and over 1,000 shops, where more than 97% of shopkeepers and owners are Muslims.
• The petitioners argue that Sonar Gali, located 100 meters from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is a more suitable site for widening than Dalmandi, which is 800 meters away.
• A Social Impact Study Report by ENV DAS India (Pvt.) Ltd. is cited by the petitioners, stating that shopkeepers are tenants who would lose their livelihoods and that demolition drives have curtailed their rights.
• The petitioners allege that no preliminary notification under Section 11 of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act was issued before demolition commenced.