Uttar Pradesh: 100-year-old mosque demolished in Barabanki, Sunni waqf board furious

LUCKNOW: The UP Sunni Central Waqf Board on Tuesday cried foul over the demolition of an over 100-year-old mosque in Ram Sanehi city in Barabanki by the area's district administration under an anti-encroachment drive.
Calling it "misuse of power" the board claimed the demolition which took place on Monday, was done without any intimation to the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board which is the mosque's guardian.
The act of demolition, which the board says was done "under the pretext of encroachment and is illegal," has evoked a furious response from the board which is now set on challenging it in court. It wants restoration of the mosque, judicial enquiry into the act and action against guilty.
"I strongly condemn the patently illegal and high-handed action of the Tehsil and district administration Ramsnehi Ghat particularly that of the sub-divisional magistrate for demolition of 100 years old mosque situated near the Tehsil compound, in the name of alleged removal of encroachment," read the Sunni waqf board's official statement on Wednesday.
It further read, "This act is against law, misuse of power and in utter violation of the clear orders of high court passed on April 24, 2021. The board will immediately approach the high court demanding restoration of mosque, high level judicial enquiry and action against guilty officers."
Earlier in March this year, the administration had sent a show cause notice to the mosque's local committee seeking registration documents, which was replied to. No further communication was done, the board said. The mosque was around that time closed off for prayers and barricading was done stopping public entry to the premises.