Overview

• Chetan Saini died by suicide late on July 29 after his 20-year-old fruit shop was razed without warning during a two-day anti-encroachment drive on the Mandi Samiti premises.
• Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited Moradabad on July 30, termed the incident unacceptable and urged police to register FIRs against those responsible.
• Moradabad City Police have since filed multiple FIRs and opened an inquiry into the demolition, though no arrests or disciplinary measures have been reported as of July 31.
• The drive, ordered by District Magistrate Anuj Kumar Singh and SSP Satpal Antil after a scuffle that damaged the Mandi Samiti office, affected around 100 trader stalls.
• Opponents of the bulldozer policy warn that its sudden implementation without prior notice or rehabilitation support risks severe economic and psychological harm for small merchants.