India, Oct. 4 -- The Allahabad High Court on Saturday dismissed a petition challenging the demolition of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district, which authorities claim was illegally constructed on pond land.

Justice Dinesh Pathak passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by the mosque committee. The petitioner argued that the local Muslim community had been offering prayers peacefully at the mosque in the Gosulbara Ravan Bujurg area since 2009 and alleged that no proper notice or opportunity for a hearing was provided before the demolition order was issued.

The state government's counsel contended that the petition was not maintainable.

The matter was heard urgently during the Dussehra vacation after the petitioner cl...