Tensions have escalated in Sambhal after local authorities issued a 15-day ultimatum seeking the removal of a mosque and an adjoining shrine constructed on land officially recorded as a graveyard in the Chaudhary Sarai area, reopening a dispute that has long simmered beneath the surface of the town’s densely populated neighbourhoods.Officials from the district administration said notices were served to the managing committee of the religious structures earlier this week, asserting that the buildings were raised without lawful permission on land classified in revenue records as a burial ground. The administration has warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period could invite coercive action under municipal and land-use regulations, a move that has sparked protests and sharpened anxieties among local residents.
According to senior officials, a review of land records and past surveys showed the plot to be registered as a graveyard, with no approval on file for permanent construction. The administration has argued that such structures violate land-use norms and encroach upon common burial land meant for the wider community. Officials insist the action is administrative rather than political, framing it as part of a broader drive to enforce land records and remove unauthorised constructions across the district.
Members of the mosque and shrine committee have rejected the claim, maintaining that the site has been used by their families for generations and that the graveyard itself is registered with the Sunni Waqf Board. They argue that the religious structures stand on ancestral land associated with long-standing burial practices and spiritual observances, and that the administration’s interpretation of records ignores historical usage and documentation held by the community.
Committee representatives said they are preparing a formal response to the notice, including documents they claim demonstrate continuity of possession and recognition by religious authorities. They have also sought legal advice, signalling that the dispute may move to the courts if the administration proceeds with demolition or sealing measures.
The controversy has revived memories of earlier land-related disputes in Sambhal, a town that has witnessed periodic communal friction linked to religious sites and property claims. Residents describe an atmosphere of unease, with security presence stepped up around the contested area to prevent flare-ups. Local traders and community leaders have appealed for restraint, warning that rumours and inflammatory messaging could quickly inflame passions.
Administrators say precautionary arrangements have been made to maintain law and order, including meetings with representatives from different communities and the deployment of additional police personnel. Officials emphasise that any action will follow due process and that the administration remains open to examining documentary evidence presented by the committee.
Legal experts note that disputes involving graveyards and waqf properties often hinge on the interpretation of historical records, revenue entries and the timing of constructions. In many cases, courts have sought to balance the sanctity of burial grounds with the need to prevent unauthorised building activity, frequently ordering status quo or detailed surveys before permitting any irreversible action.
The Sunni Waqf Board’s position could prove pivotal if the matter escalates legally. Registration with the board, if substantiated, may strengthen the committee’s claim that the land falls under waqf jurisdiction, though such registration does not automatically override municipal laws governing construction. Past rulings have shown that even waqf properties must comply with local building regulations unless specific exemptions apply.
Political reactions have so far remained measured, with district officials urging leaders to avoid statements that could polarise the situation. Civil society groups in the region have called for transparency, arguing that clear communication of land records and legal reasoning is essential to prevent mistrust.