The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday declined to intervene in a petition challenging the proposed demolition of the house belonging to Mohammad Usman, who is currently in jail on charges of raping a minor girl.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendra and Justice Alok Mehra observed that the issue was civil in nature and directed the petitioner to approach the competent development authority for relief. The Court instructed that the matter be considered by the authority on the scheduled date.

The petition was filed by Usman’s wife, Husn Begum, who argued that her husband, being in judicial custody, was unable to respond to the demolition notice issued by the local development authority.

The controversy arises amid heightened communal tensions in Nainital following the allegations against Usman. Initially, demolition notices were served to his family, prompting them to approach the court. Although the notices were briefly withdrawn, they were later reissued.

The development authority is now set to hear the matter on May 22.