Saharanpur mosque demolished after court rules it ‘illegally’ built on govt land, heavy security deployed | India News - Hindustan Times

**Saharanpur Mosque Demolished After Court Orders Removal of “Illegal” Structure**

A district court in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, ordered the demolition of a mosque that it found to have been constructed on land owned by the state government without the requisite permissions. The structure, which had been in use for several years, was declared “illegal” after the court examined land‑record documents that showed the plot belonged to the revenue department. On Tuesday, officials from the district administration, accompanied by a large contingent of police and paramilitary forces, carried out the demolition under tight security, citing the need to prevent law‑and‑order disturbances.

The operation coincided with heightened political attention. A senior member of the Samajwadi Party (SP) who had previously voiced opposition to the demolition was placed under house arrest, a move the party described as an attempt to curb dissent. In the aftermath, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav posted a cryptic message on social media, calling the incident “a stark reminder of the marginalisation of minority places of worship” and urging the state government to revisit its approach to land disputes. Meanwhile, senior All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the demolition, labeling it “unconstitutional” and demanding a judicial probe.

State authorities defended the action, stating that the demolition was carried out in accordance with the court’s verdict and that the security deployment was necessary to forestall any communal flare‑up. The district collector confirmed that the land will be handed back to the revenue department and that a compensation package for the affected worshippers is being processed as per government norms. The incident has rekindled debates in Uttar Pradesh over the enforcement of land‑use regulations, the protection of religious structures, and the role of political parties in influencing administrative decisions.