Sambhal, September 7 (Daily Kiran) : A significant land dispute has emerged in the village of Sher Khan Sarai, Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh, concerning approximately five bighas of land claimed by the Arya Samaj Temple. The local administration asserts that after extensive investigations and nearly a year of hearings in the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) court, the land has been re-registered in the names of the Arya Samaj Temple and the village council.
According to Tehsildar Dheerendra Kumar, the Arya Samaj Temple filed a complaint about illegal encroachments on its land about a year ago. Investigations revealed that during land consolidation in the 1960s, approximately five bighas and 3,350 square meters were recorded in the temple’s name. The responsibility for managing this land was assigned to the village head.
Over time, various parts of the land were reportedly sold off through collusion, resulting in the construction of eight to ten houses and a mosque on the site. Following the complaint, the case was brought to the SDM court, where hearings lasted for nearly a year, allowing all parties to present their arguments.
The administration claims that the SDM court has ordered the land to be re-registered in the names of the Arya Samaj Temple and the village council. Notices are now being prepared for the current occupants, with a clear warning that if the land is not vacated, eviction proceedings will follow as per legal protocols.
Tehsildar Kumar estimated the market value of the land, located in a densely populated area, to be around ₹50 crore. Future actions regarding the houses and the mosque will be based on revenue records and court orders. He has also urged the village council to take possession of the land for public use.
Conversely, local residents have questioned the administration’s claims, asserting that the mosque is not a new construction. According to local resident Sidra, the mosque is approximately 150 years old and has hosted religious events for generations.
Residents maintain that their ancestors have long acknowledged the mosque’s historical significance. They emphasize that the site has been a center of religious faith for many years, with regular visits from the surrounding community. They have indicated their intention to present old documents and evidence if the administration proceeds with any actions against the mosque.
The local community claims that two mosques exist on the premises, associated with two brothers, and they point to five brothers’ names as identifiers for different locations. While the area is locally known as Ali Sarai, it is officially recorded as Sher Khan Sarai in government documents.
As the administration cites revenue records and SDM court orders to assert that the land belongs to the Arya Samaj Temple and the village council, local residents are prepared to defend their claims of the mosque’s historical and religious importance with supporting documents. The administration has stated that notices will be issued in due course to facilitate further action.
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