Saharanpur Mosque Demolition: UP Administration Removes Structure from Collectorate Complex; Imran Masood to Approach SC

September 5, 2026

Saharanpur: The Uttar Pradesh administration on Saturday demolished a mosque structure located within the Collectorate complex in Saharanpur after a court rejected an appeal challenging an earlier demolition order.

A heavy police force, along with senior administrative officials, was deployed at the site before the demolition was carried out using a bulldozer. Authorities said the structure was an illegal construction on government land.

DIG Abhishek Singh said the City Magistrate’s court had earlier ordered the demolition after the construction was found on government land within the District Collectorate premises. The mosque committee subsequently filed an appeal against the order, but the appeal was dismissed and the City Magistrate’s order was upheld.

The administration then proceeded with the demolition in accordance with the court order.

Political tension rises after demolition

The demolition has triggered a political reaction in western Uttar Pradesh, with Opposition leaders raising questions over the action.

Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan, who represents the Kairana Lok Sabha constituency, was reportedly placed under house arrest on Saturday morning when she was scheduled to travel to Saharanpur. A police contingent was deployed outside her residence.

Hasan had planned to visit Saharanpur following the demolition to assess the situation and meet people affected by the action.

Congress MP Imran Masood has also strongly opposed the administration’s move and said he would challenge the matter before the higher courts.

Imran Masood questions land and Waqf records

Masood argued that the dispute was not limited to the mosque and alleged that constitutional and legal procedures had not been followed.

He claimed that according to Khasra records, the land was still recorded in the names of Waheed Khan and Yakub Khan, and argued that the administration’s claim that it was Collectorate land needed to be established.

Masood also claimed that the mosque was registered with the Waqf Board and alleged that the Waqf Board was not made a party to the proceedings. He referred to the concept of “Waqf by User” and said the mosque had been used continuously for prayers for decades.

According to Masood, the mosque had existed for around 70 to 80 years. He also alleged that the Muslim side was not given sufficient time to challenge the demolition order before the structure was removed.

“We will take this matter to the Supreme Court,” Masood said, adding that the matter would also be pursued before the Allahabad High Court.

Dispute dates back to earlier demolition order

The dispute reportedly began last month when the City Magistrate declared the mosque structure within the Collectorate complex illegal and ordered its demolition.

The Muslim side challenged the order before the District and Sessions Court. The court initially stayed the demolition order passed by the City Magistrate.

However, the District and Sessions Court on Friday rejected the Muslim side’s plea, paving the way for the administration to carry out the demolition on Saturday.

Following the action, the mosque gate was locked and movement around the premises was restricted. Heavy security was deployed across the Collectorate complex and on roads leading to the district headquarters.

Personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) were also deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

The administration said maintaining peace and ensuring law and order were its top priorities. Security remained heightened in Saharanpur and adjoining areas following the demolition.