Notice Issued to Mosque and Madrasa in Lucknow Village Over Alleged Encroachment on Pond Land

A revenue court in Mohanlalganj, on the outskirts of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, has issued a notice to the management of a mosque and madrasa in Khajhauli village over alleged construction on land recorded as a pond in government records.

The court has directed four individuals associated with the institutions to appear on October 29 and present documents supporting their ownership claims. The proceedings are being conducted under Section 67 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006, which deals with unauthorised occupation of government and public land.

Complaint Triggers Revenue Department Action

According to available reports, the case began after a local resident filed a complaint through the state government’s public grievance portal. The complainant alleged that part of the mosque and madrasa had been constructed on land officially recorded as a pond.

Following the complaint, a revenue inspector and the concerned local land records official inspected the site. Their report stated that a permanent structure stood on approximately 0.03 hectares of the disputed land, equivalent to around 300 square metres.

However, the authorities have not issued a final order for eviction or demolition. The notice gives the management an opportunity to present its documents and respond to the allegations before further action is considered.

Dispute Limited to a Specific Portion of Land

The official report indicates that the dispute concerns a specific portion of land rather than the entire mosque or madrasa. It does not establish that the two institutions as a whole are situated on government property.

Details about the age of the buildings, the historical classification of the land and any previous Waqf or other ownership documents have not yet been made available in the reports. The management’s formal response to the notice has also not been reported.

Concerns Among Local Muslim Residents

The notice has reportedly caused concern among members of the local Muslim community. Some residents have questioned whether a dispute involving a relatively small portion of land could affect long established religious and educational institutions.

Residents have also pointed to the possibility of discrepancies in older agricultural surveys and land boundary records. They argue that such records should be carefully examined and verified against documentary evidence before any final decision is taken.

The matter has emerged amid wider sensitivities in Uttar Pradesh surrounding mosques, madrasas and Waqf properties.

Recent Mosque Demolition in Saharanpur

The development comes after an old mosque located within a government premises in Saharanpur was demolished following a court ruling that declared the structure unauthorised.

The demolition drew criticism from several political and social figures, including All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi, Jamiat Ulama i Hind and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. They raised concerns about the legal process and stressed the importance of respecting religious places.

October 29 Hearing to Determine Next Steps

The hearing scheduled for October 29 is expected to be an important stage in the Khajhauli land dispute.

The mosque and madrasa representatives will have an opportunity to submit historical ownership records, revenue maps and Waqf documents, if available, to support their claims and challenge the official classification of the disputed land.

The court’s next decision will depend on the evidence presented and the findings of the proceedings. Until then, no final decision on eviction or demolition has been reported.