Allahabad High Court Denies Relief In Sambhal Mosque Demolition Case; Petitioners Directed To Appeal Before Collector

The Allahabad High Court declined to grant relief to petitioners seeking a stay on the demolition of the Gausulbara Ravan Buzurg Mosque in Sambhal.

The court dismissed the petition filed by the mosque authorities after hearing detailed arguments from legal representatives on both sides.

Justice Dinesh Pathak delivered the verdict, stating that the petitioners have the option to appeal under Section 67 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006, before the competent authority – the local Collector.

During the hearing, advocates Arvind Kumar Tripathi and Shashank Shri Tripathi represented the petitioners, and Additional Advocate General Sanjeev Singh, Chief Standing Counsel JN Maurya, and Standing Counsel Ashish Mohan Srivastava represented the government.

Petitioners had sought to restrain the authorities from executing the order passed by the First-Class Assistant Collector/Tehsildar, Sambhal, on September 2, 2025.

The court noted that petitioners could utilise the alternative remedy available under Section 67(5) of the UP Revenue Code.

Accordingly, the petitioners’ counsel requested permission to withdraw the petition to file a legal appeal before the Collector. The government did not oppose the withdrawal, and the court accepted the request.

Interim Protection

Before closing the case, petitioners sought interim protection from the court. Justice Pathak clarified that petitioners are free to submit an appropriate application for interim protection before the appellate authority.

The court directed the appellate authority to consider any application filed by the petitioners on its merits, without letting the High Court’s order affect its decision.

The High Court’s ruling emphasises that legal remedies are available under the established provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code. Petitioners must now approach the Collector for resolution, ensuring due process is followed.

The dismissal highlights the importance of procedural compliance and the availability of alternative legal avenues in land and property disputes.

Legal experts note that such directives reaffirm the role of appellate mechanisms within administrative law, allowing affected parties to seek redress at the appropriate authority while maintaining the statutory framework.

With the High Court refusing to intervene directly, petitioners in the Sambhal mosque demolition case must pursue their appeal before the Collector.

The ruling reinforces adherence to statutory procedures, ensuring that all parties have an opportunity to present their case within the legal framework while balancing administrative authority and judicial oversight.

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