Waqf Board seeks probe into Barabanki mosque demolition

Demanding restoration, it says the administration’s action is ‘patently illegal and high-handed’

The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board on Tuesday condemned the demolition of a mosque in a tehsil compound in Barabanki district by the administration, terming it a “patently illegal and high-handed action” and demanded its restoration. The Barabanki administration, without making a reference to any mosque, said an “illegal residential complex” was found situated opposite to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s (SDM) residence in the Ramsanehi ghat tehsil compound, and legal orders issued by the SDM court were executed on the ground on May 17. The administration allegedly carried out the demolition of the mosque in the name of removing encroachment, the board said. The Sunni Waqf Board said it would approach the Allahabad High Court for the restoration of the mosque, a high-level judicial enquiry, and seek action against the “guilty officers”.