The demolition drive, however, had to be halted after the situation escalated as a large mob gathered, forming a human chain to obstruct the entry of JCBs into the area, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which carried out the drive.

Taslima Aziz Ahmadi, representing the Muslim side, informed the court of a crucial 1968 compromise agreement between the parties, confirmed in a 1974 civil suit.

Tragedy struck the Union Territory of Ladakh as a fire ravaged one of its oldest Shia mosques just hours before the commencement of night prayers for 'Shab-e-Barat', officials reported on Monday.