The Nizamuddin Markaz here reopened on Thursday for two days to allow devotees to offer prayers on Shab-e-Barat, almost two years after it was shut over alleged violation of Covid norms in an action that spawned a vilification campaign against the minority community.

Delhi High Court had on Wednesday allowed the reopening of three floors of the markaz, saying the management of the mosque would have to ensure that the visitors follow Covid-19 protocols.

Police said the doors of the markaz were opened around 12.30pm.

“The doors of the markaz were opened by the police today in accordance with the high court order,” said Fuzail Ahmed Ayubi, the counsel forthe management committee of the markaz.

The Nizamuddin Markaz was at the centre of a controversy in March 2020 when several people who attended a congregation held by the Tablighi Jamaat there contracted Covid-19. The markaz was shut thereafter.

In its order, the court noted that the ground floor and three other floors of the mosque building would be opened at 12pm a day prior to Shab-e-Barat, which is on March 18, and closed the next day at 4pm.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri removed the restriction of putting a limit of 100 people on one floor and said it had been agreed that the management of the mosque would ensure that Covid-19 protocols and physical distancing norms would be followed while allowing devotees to enter the mosque to offer namaz.

The court has ordered the markaz management committee to follow the February 26 Delhi Disaster Management Authority guidelines on wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, hand hygiene and ventilation in closed spaces.

The court was hearing an application by the Delhi Waqf Board seeking that the mosque be opened in view of Shab-e-Barat and Ramzan in March and April.

The court will on March 31 decide whether to allow the mosque to open during Ramzan.