New Delhi: The Sambhal district administration has identified alleged illegal construction on a Muslim burial ground located next to the Shahi Jama Masjid. Officials said more than two dozen shops and houses stand on land recorded as a graveyard in revenue records.
The administration conducted a measurement survey on Tuesday covering 4,780 square metres of public land. The exercise followed a complaint submitted by a Hindutva group. District magistrate Rajendra Pensiya said officials found encroachment at three corners of the graveyard area. According to him, over two dozen structures occupy land reserved exclusively for burial purposes.
Pensiya told reporters at the site that notices are being issued to those identified as encroachers. He said the matter will go before a tehsildar’s court for hearing. He added that the administration will begin a demolition drive if replies fail to satisfy the court.
Security remained tight during the survey. Authorities deployed more than 1,000 police and paramilitary personnel to prevent unrest. Sambhal superintendent of police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said officials received complaints regarding unlawful occupation of graveyard land. He stated that more than 1,000 square metres remain under encroachment, with shops and houses standing on it.
Some occupants have challenged the administration’s claim. Mashhoor Mohammad, who runs a grocery shop on the disputed land, said his family has operated the shop for nearly 100 years. He said documents exist to support ownership claims and expressed hope for a fair hearing.
The area has witnessed tension earlier. Violence erupted outside the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24 last year during a court ordered survey of the mosque. The clash with police led to four deaths. Authorities said they aim to proceed through legal process to avoid further unrest.
