Sambhal Mosque and 80 Houses Declared ‘Illegal’: MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq Slams Officials for Hasty Notices, Calls It Targeted Action
In Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, tensions have flared after the local administration declared a mosque and nearly 80 residential structures in the Hatim Sarai area as “illegally built on pond land reserved for public use.”
The decision, which led to the issuance of demolition notices earlier this week, has sparked a political and social outcry, with local MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq accusing officials of acting with undue haste and bias.
According to the administration, official land records classify the disputed site as a government-owned pond. On Tuesday, district officials began serving notices to occupants of the houses and the mosque, directing them to reply within 15 days.
Notices were reportedly pasted on the walls of several homes and the mosque, warning that further legal action may follow if responses are not submitted within the stipulated time.
However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from the Sambhal MP, who termed the action “unjustified” and “emotionally insensitive.”It does not matter if the site is 50 metres or 500 metres from my office — every person in this constituency is my own,” Barq said. “If the administration commits any wrong, I will oppose it fearlessly.
I stand with my people in every sorrow and will fight their legal battles to ensure justice.”
Barq alleged that the notices were issued “without full investigation” and accused the authorities of functioning with a “vindictive mindset.”
He appealed to the district administration and police to work in the interest of citizens rather than alienate them through harsh measures.
By acting in this manner, the government is only distancing itself from the public. I request the officials to abandon this approach and focus on welfare instead,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Tehsildar of Sambhal, Dhirendra Kumar Singh, defended the move, stating that the site in question is officially recorded as a pond (pokhari) in government documents and must be preserved for community use.
In the official notice, Singh recommended that the state government form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify and recover public water bodies, including tanks, ponds, riverbeds, and water channels, that have been encroached upon across Uttar Pradesh.
He cited Section 132 of the U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, which bars individuals from possessing or altering land reserved for public purposes, directing that such property be restored to gram sabhas (village councils).
Residents of Hatim Sarai, however, maintain that they were never informed that their land had once been classified as a pond.
Many say they purchased the plots legally years ago, obtained sanctioned house maps, and were even provided official electricity connections.
How can the same authorities who approved our construction maps now call our homes illegal?” asked a resident, expressing shock over the sudden notices.
Recent Developments
The Sambhal episode is part of a larger state-wide drive to reclaim encroached government and waterbody land. Officials say that multiple religious structures and residential properties have come under review over similar allegations in the last few months.
- Three mosques in the Sambhal district have now faced demolition threats or legal proceedings for being allegedly built over pond land.
- The Allahabad High Court recently dismissed a petition filed by the management of Masjid Shareef Gosulbara, another local mosque facing demolition, directing the petitioners to seek relief under the revenue law rather than through a writ petition.
- In previous instances, the district administration also razed a mosque and an adjacent marriage hall in another part of Sambhal, drawing both local protests and support from government officials citing “land recovery mandates.”
- Survey teams have begun marking houses and structures under review with red crosses, a step that has intensified fear among residents.
District officials insist the campaign is part of a statewide effort to reclaim public property, especially water bodies that have been obscured by unauthorized construction over the decades.
However, opposition voices argue that the selective implementation of such drives risks deepening mistrust between the government and certain communities.
As the situation unfolds, residents await a response from higher authorities or judicial intervention, while MP Barq has promised to pursue all legal and constitutional means to safeguard the affected families.
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