Allahabad HC halts damage recovery, seeks UP govt reply on mosque demolition

The Allahabad High Court has issued a stay on a damage recovery notice worth ₹6.41 crore while seeking clarification from the Uttar Pradesh government over the demolition of a mosque in Saharanpur. The judicial intervention comes after a petition challenged both the rapid dismantling of the structure and the subsequent financial claim against the petitioner.

According to the petitioner's submission to the court, civic authorities executed the demolition with unusual speed, tearing down the mosque within three days of issuing an eviction order. This rapid timeline has raised questions about whether due process and necessary procedural safeguards were observed during the demolition proceedings.

The High Court's decision to stay the damage recovery notice indicates judicial concern about the legality and procedural regularity of the action taken by state authorities. By calling for the UP government's response, the court appears to be examining whether the demolition was carried out in accordance with applicable laws and whether the subsequent damage claim is justified.

The case highlights ongoing tensions in Uttar Pradesh regarding the demolition of structures on disputed land and the recovery of costs from property owners or occupants. The court's intervention suggests it will carefully examine both the demolition process and the rationale behind the substantial damage claim before proceeding further.