In the latest, the UP government has taken strict action in Kushinagar, demolishing the illegal Madni Mosque following the High Court’s stay expired on February 8. The administration proceeded with the demolition under heavy police deployment on February 9.
Since December 18, 2024, the mosque has been under investigation following allegations of irregularities. Three notices have been issued by the authorities to the mosque’s management, but action was required due to unsatisfactory responses.
The Yogi government’s bulldozers arrived to demolish the structure. The demolition was carried out under heavy police deployment and the investigation started on December 18 and concluded on December 23. The municipal authorities issued notices to the mosque’s management committee, asking for building plans and related documents three times.
The construction was deemed illegal as the documents were not submitted within the stipulated timeframe. Additionally, the mosque authorities had obtained a stay order from the High Court until February 8, halting the demolition temporarily. The administration deployed machinery along with a heavy security force to start the demolition of the unauthorised sections of the mosque.
The controversy surrounding the mosque stems from its construction in 199 when only a two-storey building plan was approved. However, in violation of regulations, a four-storey structure, including a basement was constructed, which became the primary cause of the dispute.
The complaint about the illegal construction was raised consistently by a local resident, Ram Bachan Singh. He had lodged several complaints with the departments and successive governments, but no action was taken. In 2017, following the BJP government came to power, Singh escalated the matter by personally bringing it to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s attention.
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