The authorities on Monday razed down 10 illegal shrines situated within the premises of Maharaja Suheldev Autonomous State Medical College in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, following a 24-year-old legal process.
City magistrate Rajesh Prasad said that on January 10, a formal notice was issued, which directed the committee that manages the dargah of Rasul Shah Baswari to remove the structure voluntarily by January 17. However, as the action of voluntary removal was not conducted, the district administration razed them on instructions of the district magistrate, City Magistrate Rajesh Prasad said.
“Even after the order was issued in 2002, the mazars were not being removed. These people gradually expanded and illegally constructed 10-12 mazars. Today, in the presence of police and administration, action is being taken to remove the illegal encroachment here,” City Magistrate Rajesh Prasad said talking to ANI.
Personnel from three police stations, along with ASP (City) Ashok Singh, Municipal Executive Officer Pramita Singh, and SDM (Sadar) Pooja Chaudhary, were present at the site, said Prasad, who was also present during the operation.
The action dates back to 2002, when the then city magistrate declared 10 additional shrines illegal and ordered their removal. These shrines had gradually come up adjacent to the centuries-old ‘Astana’—the burial place or dargah of Rasul Shah Baswari—located near the DM’s office. Notably, the original two shrines at the site remain legally registered with the Waqf Board and were left untouched during the demolition.
The situation reoriginated as Maharaja Suheldev Medical College, established in 2023, which brought the structures within its premises. As per the reports, the officials have said that the demolition drive followed strict legal procedures and targeted only the structures declared illegal.
