Uttar Pradesh: Sambhal mosque razed; 2nd demolition in 4 months

MEERUT: Sambhal district administration Thursday demolished a mosque and a 30,000-sq-ft marriage hall allegedly built on govt land that was earlier a pond in Raya Buzurg village . Both structures, erected a decade ago, had been declared illegal encroachments during a recent survey. This is the second mosque to face demolition in Sambhal within four months.

Sambhal SP KK Bishnoi said notices under Section 67 of UP Land Revenue Code were issued on Sept 2, giving owners 30 days to remove the structures. “When no action was taken, authorities proceeded with the demolition.”

The hall was razed using bulldozers under heavy police and PAC presence, while the mosque committee sought four days to clear the encroachment, which has already begun. Drone surveillance was used, and villagers were advised to stay indoors.

Authorities said the structures, including a madrassa, were on gram sabha and pond land. Residents claimed the marriage hall was built with donations and requested alternate land.