Lucknow, Sept. 9 -- The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Tuesday strongly condemned the demolition of a more than century-old mosque situated within the Saharanpur Collectorate premises in Uttar Pradesh, terming it a serious violation of the rule of law, religious freedom and the principles of justice. According to AIMPLB spokesperson Dr S.Q.R. Ilyas, the city magistrate's court on July 16, 2026, declared the mosque an unauthorised occupation of government land and ordered its eviction. The mosque management challenged the order in the district court, which, on September 2, dismissed the appeal and upheld the lower court's decision. Despite an assurance given by the district administration on September 4 that the structure would only be sealed, the mosque was demolished the following morning at around 4 am, Dr Ilyas said. He argued that an eviction order alone does not justify the immediate demolition of a religious structure, especially when the management still had the legal right to approach a higher court. Demolishing the mosque without providing an effective opportunity to pursue further legal remedies, he said, ran contrary to the principles of justice and natural justice. "Even if the government claims ownership of the land, it remains bound by the rule of law, a fair hearing and the principles of natural justice," Dr Ilyas stated. "A claim of ownership does not empower the State to act above the law. Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution guarantee equality, due process and freedom of religion." The spokesperson further noted that after the demolition, an ancient well approximately 20 feet deep was found beneath the debris. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has inspected the site and collected samples. The Board has demanded an impartial legal inquiry into the entire process leading to the demolition, full disclosure of the legal basis and orders under which the mosque was demolished, a comprehensive review of the mosque's historical status, land records and all waqf-related documents....