Ajmer Court Orders CCTV Installation Across Khwaja Sahib Dargah, Warns of Strict Action Against Opposition

Ajmer District Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel has issued orders for the installation of CCTV cameras at all locations that are desired within Khwaja Sahib Dargah in Ajmer and exemplary legal action against people who are opposed to it.

Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel's order is being praised as bold and laudable. It is not only an order, but the court has also sanctioned the installation of CCTV cameras in the Dargah. The Dargah Committee, functioning under the Central Government, had recently tried installing CCTV cameras at all the places of high traffic within the Dargah, but the Khadims of the Dargah protested the placement of cameras at some places, such as the Astana. But now, in a case of dispute between the khadims, Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel has ordered the installation of CCTV cameras at appropriate locations within the dargah.

The court also stated that strict legal action should be taken against anyone who opposes the installation of cameras. In fact, the dargah's khadims, Sheikhzada Nadeem Ahmed Chishti, Khaliq Ahmed Chishti, Naeem Ahmed Chishti, and Sheikh Asrar Ahmed Chishti, filed a lawsuit against their fellow khadim, Syed Shabbir Ali Chishti, accusing Shabbir Ali of violating their rights. When Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel requested the police to provide records from within the dargah, the police expressed their inability.

The police stated that no records are maintained within the dargah, especially of the shrine (Mazar Sharif). This is a matter between the khadims. In this same case, the Dargah Committee's Nazim, Mohammad Bilal Khan, submitted a petition stating that the Dargah Committee wishes to install CCTV cameras at all desired locations, but opposition from some individuals is preventing them from being installed.

Although Sheikhzada Nadeem Ahmed Chishti had not requested the installation of cameras inside the Dargah, the court, considering the seriousness of the matter and the utility of CCTV, ordered the installation of cameras at the desired locations within the Dargah. Currently, approximately 75% of the Dargah has cameras installed, but 25% of the locations, including Asthana, are where the Khadim community opposes the installation of CCTV. This latest court decision will also help the Dargah Committee install CCTV.

Notably, Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel himself had approved the petition last year regarding the existence of a Shiva temple at Khwaja Sahib's Dargah. Notices have been issued to the Union Minority Affairs Ministry and the Archaeological Department in response to this petition.