Sitapur,

30 March (HS): A mosque purportedly built on government land 12 years ago was

dismantled by the authorities here early Monday after a prior notification was

ignored, officials said. Additional District Magistrate Nitish Kumar and other

top authorities arrived at the location in the district's Leharpur region about

3 a.m. They stated the demolition exercise was carried out under heavy

security. According to the authorities, the building in Naigaon Behati hamlet

was erected unlawfully on ground intended for a pond. The move followed a

tehsil court decision issued in response to a Gram Sabha complaint. According

to reports, some 500 cops, including senior officers, were deployed to preserve

law and order throughout the operation.

The

dispute over the structure had been pending for a long time, with the Gram

Sabha alleging that the mosque stood on land earmarked for a pond and a

cemetery. A lawsuit in this respect was filed on December 18, 2025. On January

6, 2026, the court deemed the construction illegal and ordered eviction,

issuing a notice to the involved party to quit the premises and remove critical

things within a certain time frame, according to authorities.

After the

deadline passed without being met, the district administration proceeded with

the destruction, they stated. Authorities stated that a notice had also been

given under Section 67 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, but the building had

not been dismantled, requiring action.

Maulana

Abdul Rahman, a mosque representative, declined to comment, describing the

situation as political. The ADM justified the early-morning action by stating

that the property is located along a major route and that the date was chosen

to minimize traffic impact. He also stated that the action was performed in

conformity with the law, and that clearing encroachments on government land

remained a priority. The situation in the area is currently under

control, and the administration is constantly monitoring it, says Kumar.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi