The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday declined to interfere in the case related to the demolition of rape accused Mohammad Usman’s house.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Narendra and Justice Alok Mehra stated the matter was civil in nature and directed the local development authority to make a decision. The court advised the petitioner to present her case before the authority on the scheduled date.

Usman’s wife, Husn Begum, had approached the court, arguing that her husband’s incarceration prevented him from responding to the demolition notice issued by the authority.

The issue arises amid communal unrest in Nainital last month, following allegations that Usman raped a minor girl. The demolition notices prompted Begum to seek legal relief.