Meerut Mosque Land Dispute: Imam Noticed Over Police Property Claim

A significant land dispute has emerged in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, involving the Jama Masjid, commonly known as the 'Thane Wali Masjid,' located within the premises of the Kharkhoda police station. Authorities have served a seven-day notice to Imam Abdul Ghaffar of the mosque, seeking ownership documents and demanding the removal of what they allege is an encroachment on police land. The controversy began after a recent land demarcation and a revenue department survey indicated that the mosque occupies a portion of land historically registered under the Kharkhoda police station. Police officials assert that the Kharkhoda police station, established in the pre-Independence era, has revenue records showing 6,450 square metres of land under Khasra number 1217 registered in its name for several decades. According to the administration, the mosque structure was later constructed by encroaching upon a part of this land. Kithore Circle Officer Pramod Kumar Singh stated that the revenue department's report clearly identified the disputed site as part of the police station premises. The notice, which was served to Imam Abdul Ghaffar on Saturday, June 13 (2026), mandates him to submit relevant ownership documents within seven days and remove any unauthorized construction. Kharkhoda Station House Officer Rajpal Singh confirmed that the notice was delivered and that authorities were awaiting a response. As of Sunday evening, June 14, officials claimed that no valid records had been produced by the mosque management to substantiate their ownership claims. However, Imam Abdul Ghaffar has vehemently rejected the police allegations. He maintains that the land on which the mosque stands has been officially recorded in the name of the Waqf Board since 1985 and that documentary evidence supporting this claim is available. He further stated that these relevant papers have already been submitted to the police for review. The mosque management firmly asserts that the structure is a legitimate Waqf property and should not be demolished. Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Abhijeet Kumar noted that the mosque is several years old and that the issue only came to light following the recent demarcation exercise of the police station land. He emphasized that a notice has been issued, and further action will be determined based on the verification of the submitted documents and in accordance with legal provisions, including the Supreme Court's directives regarding encroachments. This incident is not isolated, as Uttar Pradesh has seen multiple instances of authorities taking action against alleged encroachments by religious structures on government land. For example, in July 2026, the PWD issued a notice to a 150-year-old mosque in Rampur over land ownership documents, demanding proof within seven days. Earlier in January 2026, a mosque and madrassa in Sambhal were voluntarily demolished by their committee members before a government land encroachment notice expired, with the cleared land subsequently leased to economically weaker families. In March 2026, a mosque in Sitapur, allegedly built on pond land, was demolished by the administration after prior notices went unheeded. These cases highlight a broader governmental drive to clear encroachments from public land across the state. The current situation in Meerut involves conflicting claims from both the administration and the mosque management, with the resolution dependent on a thorough verification of historical revenue records and the documents submitted by the mosque committee. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Avinash Pandey reiterated on June 19, 2026, that action would be taken only after the proper verification of all documents. Meanwhile, local Hindu organizations, such as the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Suraksha Sangathan, have called for swift action, warning of agitation if no steps are taken within a stipulated timeframe, while Muslim organizations have also approached authorities to assert the mosque's legitimate status and prevent its demolition. The case underscores the complexities of land ownership and religious structures in India, often leading to sensitive legal and social disputes.

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