By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 21 Mar: The Jami Ul Uloom Madarsa in Sahaspur has come under scrutiny once again for constructing an additional floor without obtaining the required permissions from the authorities. This madarsa, which previously made headlines for claiming ownership of a public water tank by installing loudspeakers that were subsequently removed by the administration, is now facing questions over its latest construction activities.
Despite earlier controversies, including allegations of occupying government land, the Madarsa Intezamia Committee has reportedly proceeded with the construction of a new floor. Photographic evidence suggests the floor‘s construction, initially visible in an incomplete state last year, has now been completed. The madarsa, which also serves as a mosque, is considered one of the largest in Sahaspur and Dehradun district.
Official sources have claimed that no permissions were obtained from the MDDA for either the new floor or earlier constructions, making it totally an unauthorised structure. Sources claim that permissions are denied in cases where land ownership or documentation lacks authenticity. Officials claim that verifying the documents could reveal the extent of alleged illegal occupation of government land. One door of the madarsa reportedly opens onto a dry riverbed, which has allegedly been encroached upon during the building’s expansion.
It may be recalled that the Supreme Court has mandated that no religious structure can be built without the District Magistrate’s approval post-2009. As both a madarsa and a mosque, the institution was required to obtain administrative permission for the construction, but this has not been done.
SDM Vinod Kumar has confirmed that a notice has been issued to the Madarsa Intezamia Committee by the authority. With these developments, the legality of the madarsa’s construction is under question, warranting a thorough investigation into the case even as the government is currently undertaking a special drive against illegal madarsas. It remains to be seen, what action is going to be taken in this case.
