4 days ago
Allahabad High Court Stays Rs 6.41 Crore Mosque Recovery
A mosque near the Saharanpur Collectorate was demolished after a court decision called it illegal.
Officials also ordered the mosque’s managing committee to pay Rs 6.41 crore in damages.
Mohammad Tanveer Ahmad challenged the eviction and recovery orders in the Allahabad High Court.
He said the mosque had stood there for more than 100 years.
His lawyer also said the land had been dedicated as waqf property.
The state government said its records show that the land belongs to the Collectorate.
The High Court has temporarily stopped the government from collecting the damages.
It has asked the government and local officials to respond within three weeks.
The court will consider the case again later.
The Allahabad High Court stayed recovery of Rs 6.41 crore in damages from the committee managing a demolished Saharanpur mosque.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal sought replies from the Uttar Pradesh government and local administration within three weeks.
The mosque was demolished on September 5 after a court upheld an order declaring the structure illegal.
Petitioner Mohammad Tanveer Ahmad said the mosque had existed for more than 100 years and disputed claims of illegal construction.
The state said official records identify the disputed land as Collectorate property and questioned the claimed waqf status.
- Who
- Mohammad Tanveer Ahmad, the mosque’s managing committee, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Saharanpur local administration are involved.
- What
- The Allahabad High Court stayed recovery of Rs 6.41 crore in damages and sought the government’s response to a challenge against eviction proceedings.
- Where
- The disputed mosque and property were at the Saharanpur Collectorate in Uttar Pradesh; the case is before the Allahabad High Court.
- When
- The mosque was demolished on September 5; the High Court issued the stay on Friday and referred to a damages order dated July 16, 2026.
- Why
- Ahmad challenged the eviction and damages, disputing the claim that the mosque was illegally built and asserting that the land was waqf property.
Petitioner’s Case
Government’s Case
Status of the mosque
Petitioner’s Case
Ahmad disputed the claim that the mosque was illegally constructed and said it had existed on the property for more than 100 years.
Government’s Case
The government relied on the earlier court decision declaring the structure illegal.
Land ownership
Petitioner’s Case
The petitioner’s lawyer said original owners Yaqub Khan and Wahid Khan had dedicated the land as waqf property.
Government’s Case
The state said official records show the land belongs to the Collectorate and argued that no waqf deed or date of dedication had been provided.
Speed of demolition
Petitioner’s Case
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the government acted hastily and demolished the mosque within three days of the eviction order.
Government’s Case
The government defended its action by relying on the legal and administrative orders concerning the property.
Key facts
- Damages at issue
- Rs 6.41 crore
- Mosque demolition
- September 5
- Court
- Allahabad High Court
- Petitioner
- Mohammad Tanveer Ahmad
- Government response deadline
- Within three weeks
- Government’s land claim
- Official records identify the property as belonging to the Collectorate
- Petitioner’s historical claim
- The mosque had existed on the disputed property for more than 100 years
Quotes
Allahabad High Court
The court hearing the challenge to the mosque demolition and damages recovery
“Till the next date of listing, the realisation of damages imposed by the City Magistrate, Saharanpur vide order dated 16.7.2026 shall remain stayed.”
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Sources
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