Goa, Sept. 5 -- The demolition of a mosque located inside the Saharanpur district collectorate complex triggered a political controversy on Saturday, with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav questioning the timing and manner of the action.

The mosque was demolished in the early hours of Saturday after the district court on September 2 rejected an appeal filed by the mosque committee against an earlier demolition order.

The operation was carried out amid tight security. Authorities closed all five entrances to the collectorate complex and restricted access to the public, including lawyers. Five companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed in the area....