Sambhal mosque row: Allahabad HC dismisses plea against demolition, petitioner claims no notice given before…

The petitioner claimed that the local Muslim community, which has been praying peacefully in the Sambhal mosque since 2009, was not given any proper notice.

Sambhal mosque demolition: The Allahabad High Court on Saturday dismissed a plea against the demolition of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, two days after authorities in Raa Ya village of the district razed a marriage hall and a madrassa, allegedly constructed on pond land.

What did the petition claim?

The petitioner claimed that the local Muslim community, which has been praying peacefully in the mosque since 2009, was not given any proper notice or opportunity of hearing before the demolition order was passed, which it alleged was passed by authorities on September 2.

It claimed that the order was never served upon the petitioner till date October 2, despite the same being the foundational basis for the proposed demolition.

On September 30, a notice was issued intimating the petitioner of proposed demolition action, which makes express reference to the order dated September 2, stating that demolition is being undertaken “in terms of order dated 02.09.2025”.

The government side argued that the petition filed by the Sambhal mosque committee, is not maintainable and the matter was heard on an urgent basis as the plea stressed that hearing during Dussehra vacation is must in pursuance of the demolition order.

The order was passed by Justice Dinesh Pathak.

The petitioner alleged that on October 2, despite a public holiday due to Dussehra, when courts are closed, district administration officials arrived at the petitioner’s premises with bulldozers and demolition equipment threatening immediate demolition of the mosque.

Sambhal mosque demolition

According to officials, a marriage hall and a madrassa constructed constructed “illegally” on pond land in Raa Ya village under Asmoli police station limits, was demolished on Thursday, adding that mosque committee has been given four days to remove the encroachment.

Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh said the demolition of the marriage hall was ordered by his court, along with the removal of the illegally-constructed mosque on reserved land, The official stated that the mosque committee has reportedly begun the demolition process on their own

“The marriage hall, built over approximately 2,300 sq m, has been demolished. The mosque committee had requested four days’ time to remove the encroachment, which was granted by the district magistrate. The committee has since begun dismantling the structure voluntarily,” he said.

(With PTI inputs)