In a decisive move against illegal construction, authorities in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, recently carried out the demolition of a marriage hall located in Rae Buzurg village. This action took place on Thursday, October 2, 2025, after the property owners failed to comply with a previously issued deadline.
Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) K.K. Bishnoi confirmed that the demolition proceeded because the contractors ignored a 30-day notice to remove the unauthorized structure. “The land in Rae Buzurg village, under the Asmoli police station, was originally designated for a pond and compost pits,” explained Mr. Bishnoi. “Despite a generous 30-day period to dismantle the illegal construction, no action was taken, prompting the administration to step in. This structure was operating as both a madrasa and a ‘Barat Grah’ (marriage hall) and occupied several acres of public land. We even utilized drone surveillance during the process.”
District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya further elaborated on the situation, stating that the substantial marriage palace was built on what should have been a pond. “Enforcement against encroachments is a continuous effort across the district,” he noted. “The Tehsildar had issued a demolition order a month ago, and since no appeal was filed, we are proceeding with the demolition today. All parties involved were given a fair hearing in court, and the Tehsildar Court’s order stands. The general consensus is that illegal constructions must be removed.”
This particular demolition is part of a broader, statewide campaign by the Uttar Pradesh government to clear unlawful structures. For instance, in Shravasti district alone, the administration took action against 149 identified illegal constructions on August 20. These operations, conducted under heavy police security, saw unauthorized shops and houses being brought down with JCB machines. Out of the identified structures in Shravasti, 140 have been sealed and 37 have already been demolished, according to official reports.
Earlier, on August 7, the state intensified its crackdown along the Indo-Nepal borders across seven districts. Over two months, 130 unauthorized constructions were demolished, 198 sealed, and notices served to 223 others. This comprehensive effort, initiated under the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, targets various illegal structures, including Eidgahs, madrasas, and mazars, ensuring public land is reclaimed and regulations are upheld.