Authorities demolish encroachment on government land in Sambhal after eviction order

The Mustafa Qadri Mosque, allegedly built on government graveyard land, was demolished by the authorities on Saturday.

Located in Kaserua village in the Nakhasa area, the mosque’s facade and pillars were first demolished using bulldozers, followed by the removal of a 55-foot-tall minaret using a hydra machine.

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The Superintendent of Police (SP) and District Magistrate (DM) were present at the site during the demolition drive.

Following an order from the Tehsildar Court, approximately 120 square meters of government land was freed from encroachment. Four bulldozers, dumpers, tractors, and 20 sanitation workers from the Sirsi Nagar Panchayat were deployed for the operation.

Earlier, members of the local Muslim community offered prayers at the site, after which the administration initiated the action. Police evacuated houses surrounding the mosque, and more than 100 police personnel were deployed to ensure security in the village.

The Tehsildar Court had issued an eviction order against the mosque committee on April 21. The mosque committee subsequently appealed to the District Magistrate’s Court; however, no order was passed to stay or suspend the eviction. Following this, the administration proceeded with the action.

According to revenue records, plot number 409 is registered as a graveyard. The administration claims that a mosque had been constructed on this 120-square-meter land. Three residential houses are also located on the same plot.

Additionally, eight houses have been constructed on approximately 600 square meters of land on plot number 410, which is recorded for compost pits. It has also come to light that a portion of plot number 411, designated for tree plantation, is under cultivation.

Tehsildar Dhirendra Kumar Singh stated, “Villagers had filed a complaint regarding encroachment on graveyard land. An investigation found that the land had been encroached upon through the construction of a mosque. Action was initiated under Section 67 of the Revenue Code.”

He added that during the hearing, the mosque committee was given ample opportunity to present its case. However, no documents or evidence were submitted to establish ownership of private land. Consequently, the court issued an eviction order.