The Allahabad High Court on Saturday dismissed a petition challenging the demolition of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, which authorities claim was illegally constructed on pond land.
Justice Dinesh Pathak passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by the mosque committee. The petitioner argued that the local Muslim community had been offering prayers peacefully at the mosque in the Gosulbara Ravan Bujurg area since 2009 and alleged that no proper notice or opportunity for a hearing was provided before the demolition order was issued.
The state government’s counsel contended that the petition was not maintainable.
The matter was heard urgently during the Dussehra vacation after the petitioner claimed that immediate hearing was necessary due to the demolition threat. The plea stated that the demolition order was dated September 2, but had not been served to the petitioner as of October 2, when officials arrived at the site with bulldozers despite it being a public holiday.
According to the petition, a notice dated September 30 referred to the September 2 order and warned of demolition “in terms of order dated 02.09.2025.” However, the court dismissed the plea, effectively clearing the way for authorities to proceed with the action.
