Authorities in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, demolished a mosque inside the district collectorate complex early Saturday morning. The demolition followed a court order after a lengthy legal battle initiated by a local Bajrang Dal leader’s complaint. The city magistrate’s court declared the structure illegal on government land in July and fined the caretakers, whose appeal was subsequently dismissed by the district judge’s court earlier in the week.
Ahead of the demolition, the administration sealed the mosque, closed collectorate entry points, brought in heavy machinery, and sharply increased security by deploying police from over ten stations, provincial armed constabulary units, and the Rapid Action Force. The structure was largely razed by mid-morning, though heavy security remained afterward.
Opposition politicians criticized the action, with various leaders questioning the demolition, arguing it interfered with religious values, targeted places of worship on flimsy grounds, and violated constitutional rights. An MP also reported being prevented by police from traveling to Saharanpur, while a former MP stated the community plans to pursue the matter in the Allahabad High Court.