Mosque committee in Gorakhpur voluntarily demolishes illegal construction before the expiry of notice period served by the Development Authority
In the city of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, two floors of the Abu Huraira Mosque, situated at Ghosh Company Chowk, were voluntarily dismantled by the mosque committee following official directives. The Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA) had issued a notice 15 days prior, highlighting the illegal construction of the mosque and demanding its removal within the stipulated timeframe.
According to reports, two upper floors had been built unlawfully. The structure was constructed without obtaining the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities. The municipal corporation had previously raised concerns regarding the unauthorized construction and had issued multiple notices over time, instructing the removal of the structure.
In response to these developments, the GDA formally issued a notice on February 15 to Shoaib Ahmed, the son of the late caretaker of the mosque, mandating the demolition of the unauthorized structure. The notice explicitly stated that the structure was constructed without obtaining approval for its architectural design within the prescribed legal framework. The authorities warned that if the structure was not removed within 15 days, GDA would take direct action by demolishing it using bulldozers and subsequently recovering the cost of demolition from those responsible for the illegal construction. As part of the formal process, the GDA also pasted copies of the demolition notice on the mosque premises to ensure transparency and public awareness.
As the deadline concluded on Friday, the mosque committee, acknowledging the legal implications, took the initiative to begin dismantling two floors built illegally on their own on Saturday. This voluntary demolition was carried out in compliance with the notice issued by the authorities. Reports indicate that a multi-level commercial complex is now planned to be developed on the same land where the mosque once stood.
The demolition of two floors of this four storeyed Abu Huraira Mosque in Gorakhpur is not an isolated incident. In recent times, similar actions have been undertaken in other parts of Uttar Pradesh. For instance, in the neighboring district of Kushinagar, the Madni Mosque was demolished using a bulldozer under comparable circumstances. Additionally, in Meerut, the 85-year-old Jahangir Khan Mosque was also removed following official orders.
Furthermore, last month, the Gorakhpur Development Authority issued another 15-day ultimatum for the demolition of the mosque that had been rebuilt after an earlier demolition. Authorities stated that the mosque was constructed illegally on municipal land near Ghosh Company Square, and the necessary permissions and approvals were not secured before its construction.
The repeated cases of unauthorized religious structures being demolished highlight the strict enforcement of land regulations by the municipal authorities. The GDA maintains that such actions are necessary to uphold urban planning laws and prevent illegal encroachments on government land.
This series of demolitions underscores the ongoing efforts of the local administration to reclaim municipal land and ensure adherence to building regulations. It also reflects the authorities’ determination to act against unauthorized constructions, irrespective of the nature of the structures involved. Moving forward, officials have reiterated their commitment to taking firm action against any illegal structures built without proper authorization and approvals, reinforcing the rule of law in urban development policies.
