Kushinagar: The district administration has commenced the demolition of a mosque, accused of being constructed unlawfully, following the expiration of the high court’s stay order, as reported by officials. At 10 am on Sunday, bulldozers began tearing down the three-story Madni mosque under tight security measures.
The operation began after the high court’s stay order expired on February 8. Officials, including Circle Officer Kundan Singh and SDM Yogeshwar Singh, arrived at the site early Sunday morning with police support to ensure a smooth process. The area has been cordoned off and extra security precautions have been put in place.
Mosque demolition begins
SDM Singh said, “I am here to maintain law and order; the rest of the actions are being taken through legal means.” According to district officials, the dispute over the mosque dates back to 1999, when local leader Ram Bachchan Singh raised concerns about its legality. However, no action was taken at the time.
The issue resurfaced in December 2023, when an official inquiry was initiated, leading the municipal administration to issue three notices to the mosque committee requesting legal documentation. As the mosque allegedly failed to provide valid documents, it was declared unauthorised.
Mosque committee vows to challenge
Haji Hamid, the chief organiser of the Madni Masjid Committee, rejected the claims of illegal construction. “The mosque was built on legally owned land. The administration is taking unilateral action without considering our side, and we will challenge it in court.” The mosque committee had contested the demolition in the high court, which issued a stay order that expired on February 8. With no further legal obstacles, authorities have proceeded with the demolition, which is expected to continue into the night.
