A mosque located inside the District Magistrate’s office complex in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur was demolished early Saturday, a day after a district court upheld an earlier order declaring the structure illegal and directing its removal.
The demolition was carried out under heavy security, with Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel deployed around the Collectorate and all gates of the complex closed as a precaution. The mosque was reportedly sealed on Friday night before bulldozers moved in early Saturday morning.
The action followed a September 4 decision by District Judge Satendra Kumar, who dismissed an appeal filed by the mosque management and upheld the City Magistrate’s July 17 order. The district court also upheld the compensation of Rs 6.41 crore imposed in the case.
The City Magistrate’s court had declared the mosque an illegal structure on government land and ordered its removal under provisions dealing with unauthorised occupation of public premises. The case had been initiated following a complaint by Vikas Tyagi, a former provincial coordinator of the Bajrang Dal.
Tyagi had alleged that the mosque was constructed through encroachment inside the sensitive government complex. The complaint also alleged that the premises were being used for purposes other than religious worship, including commercial activities. It claimed that a post office operated from part of the premises and that some rooms had been rented to outsiders, with the mosque committee allegedly collecting rent.
The district administration argued that unauthorised occupation and alleged commercial use of the premises raised security concerns because the Collectorate houses sensitive government offices and administrative operations.
The Muslim side, however, challenged the basis of the demolition, arguing that the City Magistrate’s order had directed the premises to be vacated but had not explicitly ordered the demolition of the mosque. Members of the Muslim side have also maintained that the structure had been in existence for decades and that relevant revenue records should have been considered.
Congress MP Imran Masood criticised the demolition and said the matter would be taken to the Allahabad High Court. He also cited revenue records which, according to him, contain the names of Wahid Khan and Yaqub Khan in connection with the property.
Samajwadi Party MP from Kairana Iqra Hasan also alleged that she was placed under house arrest at her residence while attempting to travel to Saharanpur after learning about the demolition. She said a large police contingent had been deployed outside her home and prevented her from leaving.
The demolition has also drawn criticism from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who claimed that historical records dating back to 1911 establish the existence of a place of worship at the site. Taking to his X handle, Owaisi asked, “Does the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion no longer apply to Muslims? Why is it that our places of worship are constantly bulldozed on flimsy grounds?”
The dispute has been ongoing for around a year and a half. In July, the City Magistrate had given the occupants 30 days to vacate the premises and ordered recovery of about Rs 6.41 crore as compensation for alleged unauthorised occupation and use of government property.
The Muslim side is expected to pursue further legal remedies before the Allahabad High Court.
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