A madrassa constructed on purportedly encroached government land in Sant Kabir Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh was demolished on Sunday. The operation, linked to UK-based cleric Shamsul Huda Khan, began around 10 am and continued throughout the day under tight security, with multiple bulldozers razing the structure.
Demolition Operation Details
Officials stated that at least six bulldozers were initially deployed to bring down the outer boundary walls of the three-storey madrassa. Later, additional heavy machinery was brought in to accelerate the demolition of reinforced pillars. Around 100 police personnel, including 30 women constables, were stationed at the site to maintain law and order, along with two companies of PAC as a precautionary measure.
By late afternoon, only a few pillars had been demolished, with officials indicating that over 45 pillars remained, highlighting the scale and structural strength of the building.
Background of the Madrassa
According to the district administration, the madrassa was constructed eight years ago on 640 square metres (approximately 7,000 square feet) of government land in Khalilabad tehsil. The three-storey structure reportedly comprised 25 rooms and was built at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore. The district administration alleged that the construction was financed through foreign funding, raising further concerns about regulatory violations. The madrassa had remained closed since 2024, though it previously accommodated nearly 400 students.
Alleged Operator and Links
The alleged operator of the madrassa, Shamsul Huda Khan, is a British citizen and resides in the UK, while his wife, Saklain Khatoon, son Tausif Raza, and daughter-in-law Nasreen live in Khalilabad. Khan left India in 2017 but allegedly continued to draw a salary from a madrassa in Azamgarh for a decade. The matter came to light about five months ago, leading to the suspension of four officials from the minority welfare department.
Investigations by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) allegedly uncovered links between Khan and individuals in Pakistan, along with suspected connections to separatist elements in Jammu and Kashmir. He is also accused of running activities under the banner of “Dawate Islam,” allegedly using foreign funds while concealing their sources. Officials further stated that Khan had been operating a girls’ madrassa and hostel in the region, which had earlier been sealed by the administration amid similar concerns.
Legal Proceedings
In 2024, a local filed a complaint before the SDM, alleging illegal construction. In November 2025, the SDM court ordered demolition and granted 15 days for compliance. The madrassa management challenged the order before the district magistrate, but the plea was rejected. A subsequent appeal to the divisional commissioner was dismissed on April 25, upholding the SDM’s order. The administration issued a final notice before initiating the demolition.
Members of the madrassa management have claimed that the administration did not provide sufficient time to remove essential items from the premises before beginning the demolition. Officials, however, maintain that due legal procedures and notices were followed.
The demolition operation was still underway at the time of filing this report, with authorities continuing efforts to dismantle the remaining structure. The heavy deployment of police forces reflects the administration’s intent to prevent any untoward incidents during the high-profile action.
