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Saharanpur: A day after the demolition of the mosque in the Collectorate complex in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, during the removal of debris, something came out from under the ground, which caught the attention of the people present on the spot. On Sunday morning, the team engaged in cleaning and removing debris found a well about 15 feet deep under the demolished structure. The width of the well is said to be about one and a half meter. At present it is not known when the well was built and how old it is.

A heavy slab was poured over the well under the debris. When the slab could not be broken by the Poklane machine, the workers cut it and removed it with the help of a cutter. As soon as the slab was removed, a well appeared beneath it. After this, the team present on the spot informed the concerned authorities. Now information to the well is being collected. According to the administration, now the ASI team will investigate the matter. Only after ASI investigation will it be clear how old this well is and whether it has any archaeological and historical importance or not.

The mosque was demolished on Saturday

The two-storey mosque built on government land in the Collectorate complex was demolished with a bulldozer on Saturday morning in the presence of the administration and police. This action was taken after the order of the District Judge Court. For this, seven bulldozers were deployed on the spot early in the morning. The case started with the City Magistrate's order dated July 16. In the order the construction of the mosque was considered illegal. After this, the mosque side appealed against this decision in the District Judge Court. After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the District Judge on September 2 upheld the order of the City Magistrate and rejected the appeal.

What was the matter regarding the land?

According to court records, the land in question was registered as Kachari-Collectorate in the crop years 1324 and 1359. The court considered the construction illegal and ordered removal of the encroachment. Besides, instructions were also given to recover compensation of Rs 6 crore 41 lakh 65 thousand 500 from the occupant. The mosque side had filed an appeal with the District Judge on July 20, challenging the order of the City Magistrate.

The hearing between both the parties continued for about one and a half month. After this, on September 2, the District Judge Court rejected the appeal and upheld the earlier order.

Increased security before action

After the court order, the police administration had already started preparations for the action. The Collectorate premises were cordoned off on Friday night itself and a large number of police forces were deployed. The mosque was demolished on Saturday morning in the presence of the administration. Now information is also being collected about the well found during the removal of debris. It is important for the authorities to find out when the well was built and why the slab was put on top of it for a long time.