50-year-old mosque demolished in Faridabad amid legal dispute, locals allege targeting
Faridabad: The demolition of a decades-old mosque in Haryana’s Faridabad has sparked outrage and sorrow among local residents, who claim the move was both hasty and politically motivated.
The Aqsa Masjid, located in Badkhal village, was razed on Monday by the municipal corporation, despite the case being under active consideration by the Supreme Court. The demolition was carried out under heavy police presence, including three assistant commissioners of police.
“This is not just a building—it’s our history, our faith,” said Mushtaq, a long-time resident of the area. “The Supreme Court had yet to give its verdict. Why rush to destroy it now? First, they came for the shops. Now, the mosque. This feels deliberate.”
According to locals, the mosque stood peacefully for 50 years on land originally donated by a former village sarpanch. The structure, measuring approximately 40 by 80 feet, served as a central place of worship for the Muslim community in the area. For decades, there were no disputes over its legality until recent years, when officials began labeling it as an encroachment.
Municipal officials maintain that the demolition was a legally mandated action. “This mosque was one of several unauthorised constructions on public land,” said a senior municipal officer. “The matter had been examined, and we followed due process under legal directives.”
However, community members refute these claims, insisting that the structure had never been previously challenged in any serious way. They argue that labeling it an encroachment is a recent development and lacks basis given the mosque’s long-standing presence.
The incident comes at a time of heightened communal sensitivity across parts of the country, and rights groups have begun raising questions about the timing and manner of the demolition.
A 50-year-old mosque, Aqsa Masjid, whose case is pending in the Supreme Court, was arbitrarily demolished by the municipal corporation amidst heavy police presence, including three assistant commissioners of police, at Haryana's Faridabad district, sparking public outcry among… pic.twitter.com/i52cEET7yT
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Man arrested for for raping mute woman in Jamshedpur
Jamshedpur (PTI): One person was arrested on the charge of raping a 30-year-old woman with speech impairment in Jamshedpur, a police officer said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in the Azadnagar police station area of the city, and a case in this regard was registered based on the statement of the victim's brother on Monday.
The victim had gone to fetch water from the premises of a company on Monday evening. When she did not return even after a considerable time, family members went out in search of her and caught the accused red-handed, police said.
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The accused was a caretaker of the company.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Patamda) Bachandeo Kujjur said due to scarcity of water in the area, the victim used to fetch water from the premises of the company.
