Uttarpradesh\Saharanpur:A high-level delegation of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), led by Board Secretary Maulana Dr. Yasin Ali Usmani Badayuni, visited Saharanpur on September 9, 2026, to review the demolition of an ancient mosque located within the Collectorate premises.
The delegation held detailed consultations with concerned individuals and lawyers regarding the legal and administrative circumstances surrounding the demolition, ownership of the land, the status of the waqf, and possible legal strategies going forward.
The delegation included Board Secretary Maulana Dr. Yasin Ali Usmani Badayuni, Board spokesperson Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Elias, Dr. Abdul Malik Maghithi and others.
Meetings with Lawyers and Mosque Officials
During the visit, the delegation met lawyers handling the case at the district level, senior lawyers from the High Court, mosque trustee’s advocate Tanveer Ahmed, and City Qazi Nadeem Akhtar.
The discussions focused on the demolition of the mosque, ownership of the land, waqf registration, administrative proceedings and possible future legal action.
The delegation stressed the need to establish the ownership and legal status of the land on which the mosque was constructed.
According to the information available to the delegation, a prohibition order was issued on July 16 and subsequently issued on July 24. It is stated that the mosque was demolished after the said order was withdrawn or cancelled on September 2.
The delegation expressed serious concern, saying that, based on the information available so far, no competent court appeared to have issued a direct order for the demolition of the mosque. However, it clarified that the final legal position can only be determined after a comprehensive examination of judicial records, government documents and other relevant evidence.
The delegation said the administrative action should be examined in light of due legal procedure, property rights, waqf law and constitutional provisions. It also stressed the need to determine whether the authorities concerned had exceeded their legal jurisdiction or misused their powers.
Decision to Approach Allahabad High Court
Following consultations, it was agreed that fresh legal proceedings would be initiated before the Allahabad High Court to challenge the administrative action.
The legal team is expected to place before the court all available documents relating to the mosque’s status, ownership of the land, waqf records, relevant court orders and administrative actions.
Possible legal claims may include seeking the reconstruction of the mosque, legal action against officials or other persons found responsible, registration of an FIR on the basis of evidence, determination of land ownership, and examination of the waqf documents. The final decision on these claims will rest with the competent court or authority.
Proposal for Permanent Legal Assistance Cell
City Qazi Nadeem Akhtar informed the delegation that he had sent emails on the night of the demolition to the Chief Justice of India, the President of India, the Governor and other concerned authorities, expressing concern that the administration could demolish the mosque while legal proceedings were still underway.
He also proposed establishing a permanent legal assistance cell, platform and helpline under the Board to provide immediate assistance in future cases involving mosques, waqf properties and religious institutions.
Commitment to Peaceful and Constitutional Legal Action
The delegation, led by Board Secretary Maulana Dr. Yasin Ali Usmani Badayuni and spokesperson Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Elias, also held a press conference.
The delegation assured the affected individuals, the mosque caretaker and others involved in the matter of all possible legal, moral and organisational support.
It reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the matter through peaceful, constitutional and legal means and to using all available legal avenues to protect the rights of the mosque and its waqf properties.