UP madrassa, linked to conversions, partially demolished over illegal construction

Muzaffarnagar madrasa partially demolished over illegal construction amid conversion probe

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district have partially demolished a madrasa found to be operating illegally on gram sabha land, following allegations of religious conversions and unauthorised construction.

The structure, identified as Madarsa Darul Uloom Rahimiya in Phulat village under the Ratanpuri police station area, was razed using a bulldozer, according to India Today. The action came as part of an anti-encroachment drive, reported ANI.

The demolition followed a probe into allegations of religious conversions and illegal construction on government land, according to Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar Verma. A complaint filed at the Ratanpuri police station alleged the madrasa was operating illegally and was involved in the religious conversion of Hindu girls.

A case was subsequently registered against Maulana Hafizur Rahman Ansari, Zubair Ansari, and Junaid Ansari, reported both ANI and India Today. The case invoked Sections 352 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 5(2) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, as stated in the India Today report.

All three men were arrested and remain in jail, according to ANI, though India Today reported that only Junaid Ansari was arrested and is behind bars. SSP Verma confirmed that a charge sheet has been filed in the case.

The action against the madrasa progressed on a parallel track. According to ANI, the District Magistrate took cognisance of the initial complaint, prompting a formal inquiry by revenue officials. The offices of the Tehsildar and the Additional District Magistrate conducted the investigation.

The inquiry found that the construction violated provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006, and officials invoked Section 67/5 of the Code, which deals with unauthorised construction. The structure was declared illegal, and demolition proceedings began, with a significant portion already brought down, as per ANI.

SSP Verma said that action under the Gangsters Act could also be initiated against those involved, according to India Today.

This incident comes months after another illegal madrasa in Sitapur, built on government-owned pond land, was ordered to be demolished in June after the district administration imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh under the same Section 67(5), ANI reported.