Demolition of a mosque contained in the Saharanpur Collectorate advanced in Uttar Pradesh started early Saturday, days after a District Choose’s court docket upheld an order declaring the construction unlawful. Authorities sealed all 5 gates and deployed heavy safety, together with the Speedy Motion Pressure (RAF), officers mentioned.
JCB machines, dumpers and different demolition tools had been introduced into the Collectorate premises throughout the evening. The administration started eradicating the mosque construction early Saturday morning amid tight safety, with senior police and administrative officers current on the web site.
Saharanpur Deputy Inspector Basic of Police (DIG) Abhishek Singh mentioned the Metropolis Justice of the Peace’s court docket had discovered the construction illegally constructed on authorities land. He mentioned the Mosque Committee’s enchantment was dismissed, paving the best way for demolition. Singh added that every one preventive measures have been in place to keep up regulation and order and guarantee due authorized process.
The complete Collectorate advanced was positioned underneath heightened safety earlier than the operation. All 5 entry gates have been sealed and no outsiders have been allowed inside. Police deployment was additionally elevated within the surrounding areas, whereas extra personnel have been introduced in from different districts.
The police administration and Native Intelligence Unit had assessed the scenario throughout the district forward of the demolition. Following intelligence gathering and safety assessments, police motion across the Collectorate had elevated from late Friday night.
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Court docket order paves method for demolition
The motion adopted a September 2 order of the District Choose’s court docket, which upheld the sooner choice of the Metropolis Justice of the Peace’s court docket regarding the mosque.
The dispute dates again to a criticism filed by Vikas Tyagi, former provincial convenor of the Bajrang Dal. Following the criticism, a petition underneath the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act was filed earlier than the Metropolis Justice of the Peace’s court docket on March 24, 2025.
On July 16, 2026, the Metropolis Justice of the Peace’s court docket declared the mosque unlawful and imposed a penalty of ₹6.41 crore.
The mosque aspect challenged the order earlier than the District Choose’s court docket on July 20, 2026. The case was heard on 17 dates earlier than the court docket earlier than the matter was selected September 2.
The District Choose’s court docket subsequently upheld the Metropolis Justice of the Peace’s order and dismissed the petition filed by the mosque aspect. Following the decision, the administration proceeded with the demolition.
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Heavy safety deployment
Given the sensitivity of the matter, authorities made in depth safety preparations across the Collectorate. Apart from native police personnel, extra forces have been introduced in from different districts, whereas RAF personnel have been additionally deployed.
Senior administrative and police officers remained on the web site because the demolition operation obtained underway. The sealing of all 5 gates successfully restricted public motion into the Collectorate advanced throughout the operation.
Officers had additionally stepped up surveillance within the surrounding areas following intelligence inputs and an evaluation of the prevailing law-and-order scenario.
Kairana MP Iqra Hasan underneath home arrest
In the meantime, Kairana lawmaker Iqra Hasan was reportedly positioned underneath home arrest at her residence earlier than she may journey to Saharanpur in reference to the demolition.
Hasan, who represents the Kairana Lok Sabha constituency, mentioned a big police power arrived at her residence as she was getting ready to go away for Saharanpur. She mentioned she supposed to satisfy officers over the demolition and lift the considerations of individuals within the space.
“To forestall me from going to Saharanpur final evening, a big police power was deployed at my Kairana residence and I used to be positioned underneath home arrest,” Hasan mentioned.
Notably, Saharanpur district comes underneath the Kairana Lok Sabha constituency, which Hasan represents.
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Questioning the motion, the 32-year-old MP requested whether or not it had turn out to be a criminal offense for an elected consultant to satisfy authorities officers over points regarding folks in her constituency.
“In a democracy, public representatives are elected to lift the voice of the folks. That voice can’t be suppressed by stopping me,” she mentioned.
The Samajwadi Celebration (SP) alleged that the Yogi Adityanath authorities had stopped Hasan from travelling to Saharanpur to forestall her from elevating the problem of the mosque demolition.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav additionally commented on the matter on Saturday. In a publish on social media, he mentioned sustaining communal concord was the federal government’s best duty in addition to its achievement.
“Sustaining concord is the federal government’s best duty and in addition its achievement,” Yadav tweeted.
The reported home arrest of the Kairana MP got here as Saharanpur authorities maintained heightened safety across the Collectorate throughout the demolition operation.
The demolition follows a authorized dispute that started with a criticism in 2025, proceeded via the Metropolis Justice of the Peace’s court docket and was subsequently challenged earlier than the District Choose’s court docket. With the latter upholding the Metropolis Justice of the Peace’s order on September 2, the administration moved forward with the removing of the construction on Saturday.
