Part of Historic Uttar Pradesh Mosque Demolished Over Encroachment Claims

Authorities in Fatehpur district removed a section of the 185-year-old Noori Jama Masjid, citing road-widening needs and alleged illegal extensions built in recent years.

Local authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district demolished a portion of the Noori Jama Masjid, a mosque built in 1839, claiming it encroached on State Highway 13.
Officials stated that the demolished section was an extension constructed within the last two to three years and obstructed a planned road-widening project.
The mosque management committee disputed the encroachment claims, arguing that the mosque predated the road and that the case was still pending a hearing in the Allahabad High Court on December 13.
Authorities reported issuing multiple notices to the mosque committee, including one in August 2023, and claimed the committee had initially agreed to remove the disputed section before seeking legal intervention.
The demolition was carried out under heavy security, with police, paramilitary forces, and drones monitoring the area to prevent unrest, and no major law-and-order issues were reported.