Demolition of a mosque inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex in Uttar Pradesh began early Saturday, days after a District Judge’s court upheld an order declaring the structure illegal.
Authorities sealed all five gates and deployed heavy security, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), officials said.
JCB machines, dumpers and other demolition equipment had been brought into the Collectorate premises during the night. The administration began removing the mosque structure early Saturday morning amid tight security, with senior police and administrative officials present at the site. Singh added that all preventive measures were in place to maintain law and order and ensure due legal procedure. All five entry gates were sealed and no outsiders were allowed inside. Police deployment was also increased in the surrounding areas, while additional personnel were brought in from other districts. The police administration and Local Intelligence Unit had assessed the situation across the district ahead of the demolition. Following intelligence gathering and security assessments, police movement around the Collectorate had increased from late Friday evening.
Court order paves way for demolition The action followed a September 2 order of the District Judge’s court, which upheld the earlier decision of the City Magistrate’s court concerning the mosque.
Saharanpur Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Abhishek Singh said the City Magistrate’s court had found the structure illegally built on government land. He said the Mosque Committee’s appeal was dismissed, paving the way for demolition.
The entire Collectorate complex was placed under heightened security before the operation.
The dispute dates back to a complaint filed by Vikas Tyagi, former provincial convenor of the Bajrang Dal. Following the complaint, a petition under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act was filed before the City Magistrate’s court on March 24, 2025.
