7 hrs ago
Lawyer Challenges Withheld Inquiry Report After Saharanpur Mosque Demolition
A mosque in the Saharanpur Collectorate complex was demolished after a court rejected an appeal.
The mosque committee’s lawyer, Naushad Ali, says an official inquiry found the land was registered as Waqf land.
He says the committee was not given the original complaint or the inquiry report.
Without those documents, he argues, the committee could not properly respond.
The case began after Vikas Tyagi alleged that the mosque was built on government land.
A lower authority ordered the mosque removed under a law dealing with public property.
A court later rejected the committee’s appeal and imposed compensation of about Rs 6.41 crore.
Police and security forces were deployed during the demolition, which also led to political protests.
Mosque committee lawyer Naushad Ali says an inquiry identified the property as Waqf land.
Ali alleges the original complaint and inquiry report were not provided to the committee.
The dispute began with Vikas Tyagi’s allegation that the mosque occupied government land.
A court dismissed the committee’s appeal and ordered demolition with compensation of about Rs 6.41 crore.
The mosque was demolished after authorities said the action followed the court order and legal procedures.
- Who
- The Saharanpur mosque committee, its lawyer Naushad Ali, complainant Vikas Tyagi, and local court and police authorities were involved.
- What
- A mosque inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex was demolished, while its lawyer challenged the alleged withholding of an inquiry report.
- Where
- The mosque was located inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex in Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- The demolition took place early Saturday; Congress leader Ajay Rai was detained on Monday amid protests.
- Why
- Authorities acted after the committee’s appeal against a removal order was dismissed; the lawyer disputes the process and says relevant documents were withheld.
Mosque Committee’s Challenge
Authorities’ Position
Status of the land
Mosque Committee’s Challenge
Lawyer Naushad Ali says the inquiry by Additional District Magistrate Archana Dwivedi found that the property was registered as Waqf land.
Authorities’ Position
The case proceeded on an allegation by Vikas Tyagi that the mosque had been constructed on government land, and the removal order cited alleged encroachment and misuse of government land.
Access to evidence
Mosque Committee’s Challenge
Ali says the original complaint and subsequent inquiry report were withheld, preventing the committee from responding to the material used in the proceedings.
Authorities’ Position
The articles state that authorities proceeded with the case and that the demolition was carried out under the court order and prescribed legal procedures, but do not provide a response to Ali’s document-access allegation.
Basis for demolition
Mosque Committee’s Challenge
The mosque committee appealed the removal order and continued challenging the proceedings through its lawyer.
Authorities’ Position
The District Judge’s court dismissed the appeal, after which the mosque was demolished; police officials said the action complied with legal procedures.
Key facts
- Location
- Saharanpur Collectorate complex, Uttar Pradesh
- Property dispute
- The mosque was alleged to have been built on government land; the committee’s lawyer says an inquiry identified the property as Waqf land.
- Legal process
- Proceedings were conducted under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act.
- Court outcome
- The District Judge’s court dismissed the mosque committee’s appeal against the City Magistrate’s removal order.
- Compensation
- The order imposed compensation of about Rs 6.41 crore over alleged encroachment and misuse of government land.
- Official justification
- Saharanpur Range DIG Abhishek Singh said the demolition followed the court order and prescribed legal procedures.
- Security measures
- Additional Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed, and police monitored social media for rumours.
Quotes
Naushad Ali
Lawyer representing the Saharanpur mosque committee in its appeal
“The greatest irony for us is that the initial complaint application filed by Vikas Tyagi, and the subsequent report generated based on it, should have been made available to us so that we could file a response.”
thestatesman.com
“During the investigation, all the facts came to light, specifically, that the property is registered as Waqf land and a mosque has been constructed on it. She submitted her full report.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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