Saharanpur: Authorities in Saharanpur initiated the demolition of a mosque situated within the district Collectorate complex early Saturday morning, following a court ruling that deemed the structure an unauthorized encroachment on public land. The administrative action was carried out under tight security, with local police and Rapid Action Force personnel sealing all five gates of the administrative compound to prevent outside access and avert potential unrest.
Heavy earthmoving equipment, including excavators and dump trucks, was mobilized overnight before the operation commenced at dawn under the direct supervision of senior administrative and police officials. Saharanpur Deputy Inspector General of Police Abhishek Singh confirmed that the demolition adhered strictly to legal procedures following the dismissal of an appeal filed by the mosque management committee. Surveillance was heightened across adjacent neighbourhoods, and reinforcements were summoned from neighbouring districts based on intelligence evaluations.
The legal proceedings originated in March 2025 under the Public Premises Act after a petition challenged the legality of the structure. In July 2026, the City Magistrate’s court ruled that the building was erected illegally on government property, issuing an eviction order alongside a fine exceeding six crore rupees. The mosque committee subsequently contested the verdict before the District Judge’s court, which heard arguments over several sessions before upholding the initial eviction decree on September 2, 2026.
The enforcement operation coincided with significant political friction, as Kairana Member of Parliament Iqra Hasan was placed under house arrest to prevent her from visiting the site. Hasan stated that police units encircled her residence on Friday night as she prepared to travel to Saharanpur to consult with local administrators regarding community concerns. The parliamentarian questioned the intervention, stating that democratic representatives should not be hindered from engaging with officials on constituent matters.
The Samajwadi Party strongly criticized the administration’s actions, characterizing the restriction on the parliamentarian’s movement as an attempt to curb legitimate civic dialogue. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav commented publicly on the situation, underscoring that preserving communal peace and social balance remains a core governance duty. District administrators have maintained tight cordons around the premises as debris removal continues.
