Lucknow: A mosque illegally built on govt land in Asti village of Bakshi Ka Talab was demolished in the early hours of Thursday on the order of Allahabad high court.District administration deployed three bulldozers for the demolition which was done around 4am amid heavy police presence which included PAC personnel.Officials said the action was taken after a prolonged legal process established that the structure was constructed on govt land.BKT tehsildar had issued a notice to the occupants — Mohd Sahibaan and Lal Mohammad of Asti village on March 11 asking them to vacate the land.As per official records, the encroachment report was submitted on Oct 19, 2024 and a notice was issued on Oct 21, 2024. An eviction order was passed on Feb 28, 2025. A recovery certificate was issued on July 23, 2025, and served on Jan 16, 2026.The occupants challenged the tehsildar’s order before the additional district magistrate (Judicial) but the appeal was dismissed on Oct 31, 2025, with the original eviction order upheld.Subsequently, they challenged the order in the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court. The high court in March 25, 2026, order dismissed the petition, terming it devoid of merit and paving the way for eviction.The administration pasted eviction notices at the site and proceeded with demolition when the structure was not removed voluntarily. Officials said the entire structure was razed within an hour, and the debris was cleared thereafter.ADM (administration) Rakesh Singh said the drive was conducted smoothly under security arrangements. Local residents claimed the mosque had existed for nearly 60 years. Officials clarified that cases under Section 67 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code follow a summary procedure, where decisions can be based on documentary evidence and affidavits, and cross-examination of witnesses is not mandatory in every instance.Police have been deployed in the village to ensure law and order following the demolition.
