Saharanpur Collectorate mosque demolished after court order, RAF deployed

Demolition of a mosque inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex began early Saturday after a District Judge’s court upheld an order declaring the structure illegal. Authorities sealed all five gates and brought in heavy security, including the Rapid Action Force, as the administration removed the building.

JCB machines, dumpers and other equipment entered the Collectorate premises overnight. Senior police and administrative officials remained at the site, while no outsiders were allowed into the complex. Police also increased deployments in surrounding areas and brought additional personnel from other districts.

Saharanpur Deputy Inspector General of Police Abhishek Singh said the City Magistrate’s court had found that the mosque was illegally built on government land. He said the Mosque Committee’s appeal was dismissed, allowing the demolition to proceed. The police and Local Intelligence Unit had assessed the situation across the district before the operation, and police movement around the Collectorate increased from Friday evening.

The case began with a complaint filed by Vikas Tyagi, a former provincial convenor of the Bajrang Dal. A petition under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act was filed before the City Magistrate’s court on March 24, 2025. On July 16, 2026, that court declared the mosque illegal and imposed a penalty of ₹6.41 crore. The mosque side challenged the ruling before the District Judge’s court on July 20. After hearings on 17 dates, the District Judge’s court upheld the earlier order on Sept. 2, leading the administration to carry out the demolition. Kairana MP Iqra Hasan was placed under house arrest as the action took place.

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All preventive measures were in place to maintain law and order and ensure due legal procedure.