A mosque inside the Saharanpur collectorate complex was demolished by the district administration early Saturday morning, days after a district judge’s court upheld an earlier order declaring the structure illegal, officials said.
“The Mosque Committee’s appeal was subsequently dismissed, paving the way for the demolition. JCB machines, dumpers and other demolition equipment were brought inside the collectorate premises during the night. Senior police and administrative officials remained at the site as the administration began removing the mosque structure early Saturday morning. 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, they added.
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 DIG Abhishek Singh said the city magistrate’s court had found that the structure at the Saharanpur collectorate was illegally constructed on government land. Authorities had taken all preventive measures to maintain law and order and were strictly following established legal procedures,” the DIG said. No outsiders were allowed inside, while police deployment was increased in surrounding areas and additional personnel were brought in from other districts, officials said.
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.
