Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan said she was placed under house arrest at her residence in Kairana on Saturday as authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur demolished a mosque located inside the District Magistrate’s office complex. The demolition was carried out after a court upheld an order declaring the structure an unauthorised construction on government land. 

Hasan, who represents the Kairana Lok Sabha constituency, alleged that a large police contingent was deployed outside her residence overnight and prevented her from travelling to Saharanpur. The administration’s reported move came as security was tightened around the Collectorate ahead of the demolition, with authorities citing the need to maintain law and order. 

Court Order Preceded Demolition

The mosque’s removal followed a September 4 ruling by the Saharanpur District Judge, who upheld an earlier order issued by the City Magistrate declaring the structure an illegal encroachment.

The mosque management committee had challenged the earlier order, but its appeal was dismissed. Authorities subsequently proceeded with the demolition on Saturday morning. The administration has maintained that the action was taken in compliance with the judicial process. 

Reports said the City Magistrate's order had also imposed a financial penalty of around ₹6.41 crore in connection with the alleged unauthorised occupation of government land. 

Heavy Security Around Collectorate

A substantial police presence was deployed around the District Magistrate’s office complex as demolition machinery was brought in. Officials were also monitoring the situation to prevent any escalation or the spread of rumours on social media.

Saharanpur DIG Abhishek Singh said the structure had been illegally constructed on government land and that the administration had followed the prescribed legal process before taking action.

The heightened security also comes against the backdrop of religious and festival-related activity in the region, making authorities particularly cautious about maintaining public order.

Iqra Hasan Questions Police Action

Hasan's reported house-arrest claim has added a political dimension to the demolition.

According to reports, the MP had planned to travel from Kairana to Saharanpur after learning about the administration's action. She said police personnel prevented her from leaving her residence.

The claim of house arrest has been attributed to Hasan. Authorities have described the deployment as a preventive security measure, but the circumstances and legal basis of the restriction should be distinguished from the court proceedings concerning the mosque itself. 

Political Debate Likely to Intensify

The demolition is expected to trigger further political debate in Uttar Pradesh, particularly over the removal of religious structures located on government property.

For the administration, the matter is being presented as enforcement of a judicial order concerning unauthorised occupation of public land. For political opponents and supporters of the mosque, the action is likely to remain a contentious issue involving questions about administrative procedure and religious structures.

The two aspects should not be conflated: the court proceedings concerned the legality of the structure's occupation of government land, while Hasan's house-arrest allegation concerns the police restrictions placed on her movement.

Legal Process at Centre of Dispute

The Saharanpur episode highlights the sensitivity surrounding unauthorised religious structures on public land. Such cases can quickly acquire a wider political and communal dimension, particularly when demolition follows a prolonged legal dispute.

In this case, the reported demolition came after the mosque committee's appeal against the City Magistrate's decision was rejected by the district court. Authorities then moved to implement the removal order under heavy security. 

The immediate focus will now be on maintaining peace in Saharanpur and on the political response to Hasan's claim that she was prevented from visiting the district.

Rai alleges government trying to suppress voice over donation theft; other Congress leaders also detained; eight accused in embezzlement case sent to 14-day judicial custody

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai was placed under house arrest by police late Monday night at a hotel in Ayodhya, hours before he was scheduled to lead a party delegation to offer prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and protest outside the Trust office over the alleged donation theft.

According to Congress sources, Rai was taken into custody from Hotel Padam Shri Palace around 11:30 pm and later shifted to the guest house of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology in Kumarganj, about 60 km from Ayodhya. Heavy police deployment was made outside the university's gates, with security personnel stationed at Gates No. 1 and 2.

A nine-member Congress delegation, which included Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma, Barabanki MP Tanuj Punia, Prayagraj MP Ujjwal Raman Singh, Sitapur MP Rakesh Rathor, former Rajya Sabha MP SP Gautam, former MLC Deepak Singh, former MLA Meeta Gautam and Pharenda MLA Virendra Chaudhary, was scheduled to visit Ayodhya on Tuesday to offer prayers and have darshan of Ramlala.

Tanuj Punia claimed he was placed under house arrest in Barabanki before he could leave for Ayodhya. Ujjwal Raman Singh was similarly confined to his residence in Prayagraj from 10 am on Tuesday. Congress district president of Pratapgarh Neeraj Tripathi was also detained, the party alleged.

'Won't leave without darshan'

Speaking to reporters, Rai alleged the government was trying to prevent Congress leaders from visiting the shrine. "I had reached Ayodhya a day earlier because we anticipated that something like this could happen. Despite that, we have been stopped from offering prayers," he said.

In a video statement, Rai said: "We all intended to visit Ayodhya to seek the blessings of Lord Shri Ram. We had formed a delegation led by me to offer prayers and seek darshan. We also wanted to pray to the Lord regarding the disrepute brought to this holy site by the RSS and BJP through the theft of offerings and donations, as well as land scams".

"Our colleagues and I were placed under house arrest. We are being subjected to harassment and are being prevented from visiting the temple. We are prepared to do whatever it takes, even if it means going to jail or giving up food and water for a few days to ensure we get to offer our prayers," he added.

Rai asserted he would not leave Ayodhya without offering prayers. "I will go on a hunger strike if required, but I won't leave Ayodhya without offering prayers. We wanted to pray before Ram and Lord Hanuman for the way Ayodhya has been defamed because of the greed of some people from the RSS and BJP," he told The Indian Express.

Wife alleges government trying to silence him

Ajay Rai's wife, Reena Rai, released a video statement from Varanasi, accusing the BJP government of attempting to suppress her husband's voice. "The BJP government is prepared to stoop to any level to silence my husband. After taking him away in a police vehicle, our associates are now being misled with false information. Our fight against the 'donation thieves' will continue. If anything happens to my husband, the entire responsibility will lie with this unrighteous BJP government," she said.

Congress terms action unconstitutional

The Uttar Pradesh Congress termed the action unconstitutional and demanded the immediate release of its leaders. In a post on X, the party questioned: "Has it now become a crime in UP to even have darshan of Lord Shri Ram?"

"Lord Shri Ram does not belong to any single political party or ideology; He is a symbol of the faith and culture of the entire country. Stopping devotees from going to Ayodhya is unconstitutional," the party said.

Senior Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi accused the BJP government of curbing the fundamental right of devotees. "The BJP government wants to control who can offer prayers. This reflects the dictatorial functioning of the Yogi Adityanath government," Awasthi alleged.

CM Yogi hits back

At an event in Rampur on Tuesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a counter-attack, saying those who had once denied the existence of Lord Ram now wanted to visit Ayodhya. "The very people who, before 2017, had devotees beaten for chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' are now invoking faith," he said. "The Congress had once denied the very existence of Lord Ram, but now it says Ram belongs to everyone. Everyone is eager to visit Ayodhya. But Lord Ram is the Lord of the universe. He knows who is right and who is wrong."

Donation theft case: Eight accused sent to judicial custody

The political confrontation comes amid an ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir. On Monday, a local court in Ayodhya remanded all eight accused to 14 days of judicial custody. Police had arrested the eight accused following an FIR registered on June 25 on the complaint of Trust member Krishna Mohan.

The accused include Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, who is described as a close associate of former Trust General Secretary Champat Rai. On June 28, eight police teams conducted simultaneous raids at the homes of the accused. At Tinnu's residence, investigators recovered documents relating to investments, property purchases, jewellery and cash.

Champat Rai, Anil Mishra resign; Trust meeting advanced

Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Dr Anil Mishra resigned on June 27, two days after the FIR was registered, taking "moral responsibility" for the alleged embezzlement. Sources say Champat Rai left Ayodhya for Delhi on Sunday evening to present his case and seek support from RSS and VHP leadership.

The Trust has advanced its scheduled meeting from July 11 to July 6 to consider the resignations. Sources claim the SIT may hold Champat Rai, Dr Mishra and Gopal Rao responsible in its final report, and registration of an FIR against them is likely once the report is submitted.

Police expand financial investigation

Police have expanded the financial investigation, seeking details of bank accounts belonging to employees working at more than three State Bank of India branches in the Ayodhya area. Investigators are scrutinising bank transactions and financial links of the accused.

Owaisi, Mayawati react

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said in Bijnor: "The Trust made a mistake. They should have appointed a Muslim to the Trust and then blamed him. The entire matter would have been settled. But now Champat is facing the consequences".

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said those guilty of temple offering theft must not be spared.

Meanwhile, Congress workers staged a sit-in protest outside the Agriculture University's Gate No. 1, demanding Rai's release. Police used mild force to disperse Congress workers who attempted to march towards the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, detaining several workers including former Rajya Sabha MP Aliya Zubairi.

Prateek Yadav’s last rites today in Lucknow; postmortem points to cardiac arrest

Late SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger son Prateek Yadav will be cremated at Baikunth Dham; doctors preserve viscera for further probe.

The final journey of Prateek Yadav, the younger brother of Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, is set to take place at Lucknow’s Baikunth Dham on Thursday afternoon. Prateek, the son of the late Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife Sadhana Gupta, passed away on Wednesday morning. He was 38.

The sudden demise has sent shockwaves through Uttar Pradesh’s political circles, drawing leaders across party lines to the Yadav residence to pay their final respects. Prateek, who largely steered clear of the active political life pursued by his brothers and father, was a well-known figure in the real estate and fitness industry in the state capital.

Postmortem reveals cardiac arrest

Medical authorities at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), where the autopsy was conducted, confirmed on Thursday that the primary cause of death was cardiac arrest. However, the report has added layers to the investigation, noting six injury marks on Prateek's body.

According to hospital sources, three of these injuries appeared to be approximately a week old, while the other three were sustained within 24 hours of his passing. Given the high-profile nature of the case, officials have preserved the viscera for further histopathological examination to rule out any underlying complications.

A family in mourning

The atmosphere at the family's Lucknow residence remained somber throughout the night. Prateek’s wife and BJP leader, Aparna Yadav, who was in Assam at the time of the tragedy, rushed back to Lucknow late Wednesday. Witnesses described an emotional scene as she reached the house, breaking down while embracing her two daughters.

Aparna reportedly stayed beside the body throughout the night. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, along with his wife and MP Dimple Yadav, were among the first to reach the civil hospital and later the postmortem house on Wednesday. Akhilesh, who shared a complex but private bond with his younger brother, appeared visibly shaken during the morning's rituals.

Medical history and complications

While the postmortem cited cardiac arrest, doctors who had been monitoring Prateek’s health indicated he had been battling a serious lung condition. Sources at the hospital stated he was suffering from pulmonary embolism—a condition where blood clots block the arteries in the lungs. This condition often leads to sudden respiratory distress and can put immense pressure on the heart, eventually triggering the fatal arrest.

Life away from the spotlight

Born in 1987 to Sadhana Gupta and later legally adopted by Mulayam Singh Yadav, Prateek’s upbringing was distinctly different from the rest of the Saifai clan. An alumnus of the University of Leeds in the UK, he chose to invest his energy into his passion for luxury automobiles and high-end fitness centers rather than the rigors of election campaigning.

Despite his wife Aparna Yadav joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2022, Prateek maintained a neutral public stance, often seen as the bridge between the family’s differing political leanings. His presence was a constant at family gatherings, even as the internal dynamics of the Yadav family shifted over the years.

Preparations for final journey

Security has been tightened around the Vikramaditya Marg area and the route leading to Baikunth Dham. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was among the dignitaries who visited the family to offer condolences, briefly interacting with Aparna Yadav and her children.

The funeral procession is expected to begin shortly, with a large number of Samajwadi Party workers and family well-wishers gathering to bid farewell to the 38-year-old.