The Uttar Pradesh administration on Saturday demolished a mosque located within the District Collectorate complex in Saharanpur after the Muslim side's appeal against the demolition order was rejected by the court.
A large police force, along with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and City Magistrate, was deployed at the site before the administration carried out the demolition.
DIG Abhishek Singh told IANS that an illegal construction had been identified on government land within the District Collectorate premises.
"An illegal construction was found on government land located within the District Collectorate premises in District Saharanpur, as per the order of the City Magistrate's court. Against this order, the masjid committee had filed a first appeal. Their appeal has been dismissed, and the order of the City Magistrate has been upheld," he said.
The demolition has triggered a political reaction in western Uttar Pradesh.
Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan, who represents the Kairana Lok Sabha constituency, was placed under house arrest on Saturday morning before she could travel to Saharanpur. She had planned to visit the area following the demolition and meet people affected by the action.
Congress MP Imran Masood, who had earlier raised concerns over the matter, criticised the administration's action and said the issue would be challenged before higher courts.
Masood alleged that the Waqf Board was not made a party to the proceedings and questioned the administration's claim regarding ownership of the land.
"The mosque is registered with the Waqf Board, but you did not make the Waqf Board a party," Masood told IANS, while referring to the Waqf by User provision.
He also claimed that the mosque had been in existence for several decades and that prayers had been offered there continuously.
Masood said the matter would be taken to the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court.
The dispute dates back to last month, when the City Magistrate reportedly declared the mosque located within the Collectorate complex illegal and ordered its demolition. The Muslim side subsequently challenged the order before the District and Sessions Court.
The court had initially granted a stay on the demolition order. However, on Friday, the District and Sessions Court reportedly rejected the Muslim side's plea, paving the way for the administration to proceed with the demolition on Saturday.
Following the demolition, the mosque gate was locked and movement within the Collectorate premises was restricted as a security measure.
? BULLDOZER ACTION continues in Yogi’s UP ?
— Megh Updates ?™ (@MeghUpdates) September 5, 2026
A mosque built inside the Collectorate complex has been DEMOLISHED.
The administration had declared it ILLEGAL on July 16.
The mosque committee cited a 1911 electricity bill, while electricity reached Saharanpur only in 1912. pic.twitter.com/sDpOSEWmx5
Heavy security arrangements have been put in place across Saharanpur. Police personnel have been deployed around the Collectorate complex and on roads leading to the district headquarters.
Personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) have also been deployed to prevent any untoward incident.
Senior police and administrative officials, including the City Superintendent of Police and other senior officers, are present at the site.
The administration said maintaining peace and ensuring law and order remain its top priorities. Security has consequently been tightened across Saharanpur and adjoining areas, with police remaining on alert.
