In Khalilabad, authorities on April 26 began demolishing a madrassa in the Meat Mandi area under heavy police presence, following the rejection of a legal appeal by the madrassa committee. Officials said the action was taken after all legal hurdles were cleared.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Hriday Ram Tiwari said, “There is no case pending in any court now in this connection, and therefore action has been initiated.” He added that the committee’s appeal against the demolition notice had been dismissed a day earlier.
Allegations of Illegal Construction and Land Issues
According to the administration, the madrassa was constructed without proper approval and stood on land that had recently been merged with government property. Officials stated that no valid building plan had been sanctioned.
Tiwari said that although the matter had earlier been taken to a higher authority, “the appeal filed by the madrassa committee was dismissed, clearing the way for demolition.”
Senior officials, including Additional District Magistrate Jai Prakash and Circle Officer Priyam Rajshekhar, were present at the site along with a large police force to maintain law and order during the operation.
Link to UK-Based Preacher Under Investigation
Authorities have linked the madrassa to Maulana Shamshul Huda Khan, a native of Azamgarh who later acquired British citizenship. Officials allege that Khan was involved in constructing the building and is currently under investigation.
Multiple agencies, including the Anti-Terrorism Squad and the Enforcement Directorate, have been probing his activities. According to officials, these investigations pointed to suspected illegal foreign funding and possible links to unlawful activities.
An FIR has been registered against Khan at the local police station. Authorities claim that funds were allegedly routed through an NGO named Raja Foundation as well as personal bank accounts.
Serious Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Officials further alleged that Khan had travelled abroad, including visits to Pakistan, and is suspected of having links with a radical organisation. However, these claims are part of an ongoing investigation and have not yet been proven in court.
The Uttar Pradesh Police have registered at least three FIRs against him, citing charges such as fraud, forgery and criminal conspiracy.
