In a continuing series of demolitions in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, district authorities on October 14 tore down a mosque near the under-construction Kalki Dham Mandir, citing illegal encroachment on public land. The structure, locally known as Choti Masjid, had reportedly stood for nearly 30 years on a 200-square-yard plot.
Officials said the mosque was built without proper approval and occupied a section of land designated as a public park. The site is located approximately 400 metres from the Kalki Dham Mandir project, for which the foundation stone was laid on February 19, 2024, in a ceremony attended by senior BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The Mandir is being promoted as a future hub for Hindu religious tourism in western Uttar Pradesh.
🚨 BIG ACTION! Yogi Adityanath’s administration DEMOLISHES an ILLEGAL mosque built just 150 meters from Kalki Dham in Sambhal.
UP Police confirmed the structure stood on ENCROACHED park land. pic.twitter.com/CzKrYF5ey5
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) October 15, 2025
Naib Tehsildar Deepak Jurel stated that 262 square metres of parkland had been encroached upon. “The mosque structure has been completely removed,” he said. Circle Officer of Asmoli, Kuldeep Singh, added that the demolition was carried out under court orders. Police personnel from three local stations, along with the Provincial Armed Constabulary, were deployed to maintain order during the operation.
This marks the fourth mosque demolition in the region in recent months as part of a wider drive targeting buildings allegedly constructed on public or pond land. On October 7, authorities razed a 30,000-square-foot marriage hall and issued a four-day self-demolition notice for another mosque in Raya Buzurg. Officials claimed both structures were illegally built on former pond areas.
Earlier, in Hatim Sarai, a separate mosque and 80 houses were marked for demolition. Officials said the structures, built 12–13 years ago, also lacked legal ownership documentation and had no appointed mutawalli (trustee).
In June, the Raza-e-Mustafa Masjid in Chandausi was similarly demolished along with 34 adjacent homes. Authorities said it was situated on municipal land.
