The administration in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has taken major action against a mosque standing inside the District Magistrate's office complex. After nearly one and a half years of hearings, the court of the Nagar Magistrate ruled that the structure was illegally built on government land and ordered its removal. Along with the demolition order, the court imposed a fine of nearly Rs 6.41 crore on the party responsible. A 30 day window has been given to comply with the order.
Complaint by former Bajrang Dal office bearer set off the case
The controversy surfaced after Vikas Tyagi, a former province coordinator of Bajrang Dal, filed a complaint with the administration. He alleged that the mosque located inside the DM office complex was built on government land. Tyagi also claimed that the premises was not being used only for religious purposes, but that commercial activities were allegedly being carried out there as well. Based on this complaint, the administration began investigating the matter.
Allegations of a post office and rented rooms
According to the complaint, a post office was being run inside the complex, and some rooms attached to it had been rented out, generating regular income. Following these allegations, the case reached the court of the Nagar Magistrate, where a lengthy hearing took place.
Mosque side failed to prove ownership in court
Government advocate Vinay Chauhan said that during the hearing, the side representing the mosque could not produce any valid documents proving ownership of the land. Electricity bills and municipal assessment records were presented before the court, but these were not accepted as sufficient proof of ownership. The magistrate's inquiry found that the structure, built over an area of about 315 square metres, stood on government land. Based on these findings, the court declared the construction illegal and issued the demolition order. A notice has since been pasted at the site following the court's directive.
Complainant claims mosque has existed since 1951
Complainant Vikas Tyagi claims that the mosque has existed at the site since 1951, and that rooms linked to it had been rented out for a long time to generate income. He also raised concerns that the movement of outsiders in the premises during elections could affect administrative arrangements and electoral confidentiality. The administration is now preparing to take further action in line with the court's order. If the order is not complied with within the stipulated 30 day period, the administration may proceed with the next legal action as per the rules.
