Authorities in Meerut have issued a seven-day notice to the imam of the Jama Masjid, also known as the “Thane Wali Masjid,” demanding the removal of alleged unauthorized construction and the submission of ownership documents. The action follows a revenue department survey identifying the mosque as an encroachment upon 6,450 square meters of land registered to the pre-Independence era Kharkhoda Police Station.
The Kharkhoda Police Station, located on the Meerut-Bulandshahr road, operates on land designated under Khasra number 1217, which has been officially registered to the police station for several decades.
The Source of the Land Dispute
The conflict centers on competing claims regarding the land located within the Kharkhoda Police Station premises. According to Kithore Circle Officer Pramod Kumar Singh, a recent revenue department survey confirmed the site falls within the police station’s legal boundaries. Following this, police served a notice on Saturday, June 13, to imam Abdul Ghaffar, requiring him to clear the alleged encroachment within one week.
Conversely, the mosque management maintains that the site is Waqf property. Imam Abdul Ghaffar stated that the land was recorded in the name of the Waqf Board in 1985. He asserted that relevant documentary evidence supporting this claim has already been submitted to the police, contradicting official statements that no valid records had been produced as of Sunday evening, June 14.
This situation highlights the common friction between long-standing local religious sites and historical revenue records. When a government entity—in this case, the police—conducts a demarcation of its own premises, it often surfaces latent ownership disputes that have remained dormant for years. The resolution will likely hinge on whether the revenue department’s current survey can be reconciled with the 1985 records cited by the mosque management.
What Happens Next?
The immediate path forward depends on the expiration of the seven-day notice period. Kharkhoda Station House Officer Rajpal Singh confirmed that as of the deadline, no response had been received from the mosque management. Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Abhijeet Kumar noted that the administration is prepared to take further action based on the ongoing verification of documents and the scrutiny of official revenue records.
If the mosque management fails to provide documentation that satisfies the revenue department, authorities may proceed with enforcement actions regarding the alleged encroachment. Should the management successfully validate their Waqf claim, the legal status of the land may be subject to further review or litigation to resolve the conflicting ownership records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the notice issued to the mosque?
According to police, a revenue department survey identified the Jama Masjid as an unauthorized structure built on land belonging to the Kharkhoda Police Station.
What is the mosque management’s stance?
Imam Abdul Ghaffar claims the land was registered to the Waqf Board in 1985 and maintains that documentation supporting this has been submitted to the police.
What is the current status of the dispute?
As of June 14, authorities reported that no valid records had been produced by the imam, and further action is expected to depend on the ongoing verification of land records.
How do you believe local authorities should balance historical land records with long-standing community sites?