The district administration in Saharanpur has demolished a mosque located within the collectorate. This action took place a day after a lower court upheld a city magistrate’s order from July 17, which authorized the demolition. The decision has raised concerns within the community regarding the impact on local religious practices and the broader implications for communal harmony in the region.
“I have this real ownership document of land dating back to 1896… The mosque was built around 1910,” Masood said. “In July, the city magistrate’s court declared the mosque illegal, but a lower court granted a stay, which was vacated on Sept 2. We possess the complete settlement records dating back to 1861, 1867, 1889… 539 is recorded in his name.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Meerut | Silver Rate in Meerut | Bank Holidays in Meerut | Public Holidays in Meerut | Meerut AQI | Weather in Meerut | Petrol Price in Meerut | Diesel Price in Meerut | CNG Price in Meerut | LPG Price in Meerut Stay updated with the latest Meerut news.
Meerut: Holding a Persian copy of a 1896 ‘behnama’ (sale deed), Hamza Masood, lawyer and nephew of Congress Saharanpur MP Imran Masood, said on Tuesday that the UP govt “deliberately violated the Constitution and shred every law that protects religious structures in the state” while hastily demolishing the Saharanpur collectorate mosque. Saharanpur administration knew that we would approach the HC, but before we could do so, it demolished the religious structure despite the fact that nowhere in the said order was it written that the structure was to be demolished,” he said. Masood added that they filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court on Monday, challenging “the illegal action by the state govt against the religious property”. He said they also plan to file a PIL in the Supreme Court “against violation of the Nov 13, 2024 judgment in which the SC had categorically directed that no demolition can occur until at least 15 days after serving the final confirmation order, giving owners time to appeal or remove their belongings”. Feroz Khan, great-grandson of the person considered the land’s original owner, Yakub Khan, has also “come forward” to clarify the matter. He said, “The land belonged to my Yakub Khan and his father, Wahid Khan. Proper notice was served, and the stipulated notice period was fully adhered to,” Kumar said. The demolition came a year after a Bajrang Dal member objected to the mosque’s alleged “illegal” presence on govt land. On July 16, 2026, the city magistrate’s court declared the mosque “illegal encroachment on govt land” and ordered its occupants to pay Rs 6.4 crore in compensation.
“In those days, this place was a mango orchard with a small square structure built at its centre where labourers would come to offer prayers. There was also a well here, whose water was used by local residents. Masood alleged that the administration ignored the historical documents and rushed through the demolition despite the mosque side’s intention to approach the high court. He added: “If one goes by the documents and historical facts, it’s the collectorate which is illegal and not the mosque. The order was notified the following day, after which there were two holidays. Every parcel and portion of land under Khasra No. SDM Subodh Kumar refuted the claims. “There are no contradictions of any kind. All parties were heard by the court, and they were given ample opportunity to appeal. Legal process has been fully followed. It was then razed early Saturday. Download the TOI App.
Khan maintained that these documents could effectively challenge the administration’s unilateral action and claims before the court. The mosque side’s appeal was subsequently rejected by the district judge’s court on Friday after both parties were heard and the evidence examined.