A nearly 20-foot-deep well has been discovered beneath the debris of a mosque demolished inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex, adding a new element to an already contentious dispute over the religious structure. The administration has asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to examine the well and determine its age and historical significance.

The well, measuring about 1.5 metres in width, was found on Sunday morning while workers were clearing debris from the site. Officials said a heavy stone slab was encountered during the operation. After the slab was cut open, the well became visible underneath. 

Authorities have covered the opening with an iron sheet to prevent debris and soil from falling inside. Police personnel remain deployed around the Collectorate premises and access to the site has been restricted.

ASI to Determine Age and Historical Significance

Saharanpur Sadar SDM Subodh Kumar said the administration would rely on an archaeological examination before drawing conclusions about the well.

Officials have indicated that the structure appears to be around a century old, but its exact age and historical background can only be established after examination by archaeological experts. 

The discovery has already generated speculation over the history of the site. However, there is currently no official finding that the well is evidence of an earlier temple or another religious structure.

A person who had complained against the mosque, Vikas Tyagi, claimed that an older place of worship may have existed at the location before the mosque was constructed and called for an archaeological investigation. That remains an allegation pending evidence.

Mosque Demolished After Court Proceedings

The mosque inside the Collectorate premises was demolished on Saturday in an operation that continued for nearly 16 hours and was conducted under heavy security. The structure had been declared unauthorised by the city magistrate on the grounds that it stood on government land. 

According to reports, the legal dispute began after a complaint was filed in 2025 alleging that the structure was unauthorised. The city magistrate subsequently ordered its removal and imposed compensation of around ₹6.41 crore in connection with alleged unauthorised occupation.

The mosque management challenged the order. A district court later rejected the appeal, after which the administration proceeded with the demolition. 

Mosque Management Plans High Court Challenge

The demolition has not ended the legal dispute. Representatives of the mosque management have said they intend to approach the Allahabad High Court, arguing that due process was not properly followed.

The mosque side has also disputed the administration's position on the structure's age and legal status. Some Muslim religious leaders and representatives have described it as an old mosque and cited historical or waqf-related records.

These claims are part of the ongoing legal dispute and have not been independently established by the archaeological examination now proposed for the well.

Political Row Intensifies

The demolition has triggered reactions from leaders across the political spectrum.

Congress MP Imran Masood, who represents Saharanpur, criticised the action and questioned whether sufficient legal time was available to the mosque side before demolition. Other opposition leaders, including Chandra Shekhar Azad and AAP MP Sanjay Singh, have also questioned the administration's action.

AIMIM leaders criticised the demolition on constitutional and religious-freedom grounds.

On the other side, Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar defended the action, saying the demolition was carried out in accordance with the court's directions. The political debate has also included sharp exchanges over the demolition and the discovery of the well.

Why the Well Has Become the New Focus

The well has become significant because it was concealed beneath a substantial slab and was only exposed after the mosque debris was removed. Officials have so far stopped short of drawing historical conclusions from its presence.

Whether the well predates the mosque, whether it was associated with the structure, and what purpose it originally served are questions that remain open.

The ASI examination is therefore expected to be important in establishing the age, construction characteristics and historical context of the well.

For now, claims that the discovery proves the existence of a temple at the site should be treated as unverified claims rather than established historical evidence.

With the area under security and the well protected from further damage, authorities are awaiting the archaeological assessment before making any further determination about its history.

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.

In a significant ruling with far-reaching implications for cybercrime investigations and banking practices, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that law enforcement agencies should not freeze an entire bank account over a minor disputed transaction when less restrictive measures are available. The court directed that, wherever possible, only the amount linked to the alleged cyber fraud should be blocked rather than imposing restrictions on the entire account.

The judgment came while hearing a petition filed by Archana Shivhare, a Bhopal-based businesswoman, whose current account containing more than ₹2.51 crore was frozen following a suspected cyber transaction of just ₹980.

Justice Himanshu Joshi, presiding over the single bench, observed that freezing an entire bank account should remain an exceptional measure and must not become the standard response in cybercrime investigations.

Dispute Over ₹980 Transaction

According to the petition, Shivhare operates seven composite liquor outlets in Narsinghpur district, with all business transactions routed through a single current account.

In April 2026, the State Bank of India branch in Itarsi froze the account without prior notice. The action was reportedly taken following a cybercrime complaint registered under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that the alleged suspicious transaction involved only ₹980, while the account held more than ₹2,51,72,192.57. The petitioner requested that only the disputed amount be blocked if required for investigation, allowing access to the remaining legitimate funds.

Court Calls for Proportionate Action

Accepting the argument, the High Court observed that investigating agencies must distinguish between the amount allegedly connected to an offence and the lawful funds lying in the account.

The bench said that freezing an entire account despite the disputed amount being minimal was not a proportionate response. Instead, agencies should impose a lien or debit freeze only on the amount necessary for investigation wherever feasible.

The court clarified that complete freezing of an account should be reserved for extraordinary circumstances supported by written reasons.

Banks Also Have Responsibility

The High Court also underlined the role of banks in protecting customers' rights during such proceedings.

It observed that banks cannot simply act as passive executors of police instructions and direct customers to approach investigating agencies or courts. Instead, banks must immediately inform account holders about the reason for freezing, the details of the investigating authority and the available grievance redressal mechanism.

The court described banks as the first point of contact for customers affected by such actions and said they must actively facilitate the resolution process.

Statewide Guidelines Issued

To ensure uniform implementation across Madhya Pradesh, the High Court issued a detailed set of directions for banks, police authorities and investigating agencies.

Under the guidelines:

• Only the disputed amount should be frozen through a lien or debit restriction wherever possible.

• Entire bank accounts should be frozen only in exceptional cases supported by written reasons.

• Investigating officers must promptly inform the jurisdictional magistrate after ordering a bank account freeze.

• Banks must notify account holders about the freezing action, the reasons behind it and the grievance redressal process.

• Complaints received by banks must be uploaded to the designated portal within seven days.

• Investigating officers must pass a reasoned order within 15 days of receiving a complaint.

• If the complaint is accepted, banks must de-freeze the account within 48 hours.

• Where no valid order exists to continue the freeze beyond 90 days, restrictions may be lifted following the prescribed procedure.

• If investigators seek to continue freezing the entire account, they must issue a detailed and reasoned written order.

Court Directs Fresh Decision

The High Court directed the investigating officer to reconsider Shivhare's application in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure issued on April 10, 2026, along with the principles laid down in the judgment.

The court observed that if securing ₹980 is sufficient for the investigation, the remaining balance should be released immediately. However, if authorities believe freezing the entire account is necessary, they must provide detailed reasons supported by law.

The High Court further instructed the Madhya Pradesh government to circulate the judgment among all banks, police stations, cybercrime units and investigating agencies to ensure a uniform and legally compliant procedure for freezing bank accounts in cybercrime cases across the state.

In a significant ruling reinforcing the principle of equality before the law, the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court declined to entertain a writ appeal filed by the state government after a delay of 951 days. The Division Bench held that the government cannot expect special treatment in matters of limitation and must be held to the same legal standards as any other litigant.

The court emphasized that procedural timelines exist to ensure fairness and certainty in the judicial process. Allowing excessive delays without sufficient justification would undermine the rights that have already accrued to the opposing party.

Government Blamed Former Education Officer

During the hearing, the state government argued that the appeal could not be filed within the prescribed period due to the negligence of former District Education Officer Hari Om Chaturvedi.

Government counsel informed the court that the Commissioner of Public Instruction had suspended the concerned officer on May 11, 2026, contending that disciplinary action against the official should be considered while deciding the plea for condonation of delay.

The state requested the court to excuse the delay and permit the appeal to proceed on merits.

Court Rejects Explanation

The High Court was not convinced by the government's justification. The Bench observed that merely initiating disciplinary proceedings against a negligent official cannot erase the legal consequences of prolonged inaction.

The judges stated that if a party has already acquired legal rights because of the government's failure to act within the statutory time limit, those rights cannot be taken away simply because the concerned officer has later been suspended or penalized.

The court reiterated that administrative lapses cannot become a routine ground for condoning extraordinary delays in litigation.

Call for Greater Accountability

The Bench also expressed concern over recurring delays by government departments in pursuing legal matters. It observed that negligence within the administrative machinery often results in avoidable financial losses to the state and unnecessary litigation.

The court stressed that responsibility for such lapses should not end with departmental action alone. It suggested that accountability should be fixed on erring officials, including the possibility of recovering financial losses from those responsible, to discourage similar negligence in the future.

According to the court, such measures would improve efficiency in government functioning and ensure greater respect for judicial timelines.

Approval and File Movement Caused Major Delay

Court records revealed that obtaining approval to file the writ appeal itself took nearly seven and a half months. Even after the necessary sanction was granted in December 2025, the case file reportedly remained pending for another five months before any further action was taken.

The writ appeal was eventually filed before the High Court in May 2026, by which time the total delay had reached 951 days.

Considering the prolonged and inadequately explained delay, the Division Bench refused to condone the lapse and dismissed the application, effectively rejecting the state's writ appeal.

The ruling serves as a reminder that government authorities are expected to exercise the same level of diligence and compliance with statutory deadlines as any private litigant. The judgment also reinforces the judiciary's consistent position that procedural negligence by public officials cannot be used to override the legal rights of other parties.

The court's directions come in connection with allegations made by a woman who has accused the 23-year-old Bengal wicketkeeper-batter of establishing a physical relationship with her on the promise of marriage and later subjecting her to threats and intimidation.

According to the complaint, the woman and Porel first came into contact in January 2023. She has alleged that the cricketer took her to his apartment in Mankundu, where he assured her of marriage before entering into a relationship with her.

The complainant further claimed that she later discovered Porel was allegedly involved with other women and that the relationship subsequently deteriorated.

Among the more serious allegations are claims that private moments were recorded and that she was later threatened. The woman has also accused the cricketer of isolating her, restricting her movements and subjecting her to mental distress during the course of their association.

The complaint reportedly refers to an incident in Delhi in April 2026, after which the woman said her health condition worsened and she required medical treatment.

The matter was registered at Mogra Police Station in West Bengal on June 23, 2026, following which an investigation was initiated.

During the hearing, the High Court observed that digital evidence could play a crucial role in the case. The court noted that a pen drive containing potentially relevant material had already been seized and expressed concern that electronic data could be altered, destroyed or circulated if immediate action was not taken.

As a result, the court directed investigators to confiscate the accused's electronic devices and secure digital evidence connected to the case.

In its observations, the court stated that the seizure of electronic equipment was necessary to prevent any alleged private photographs, videos or other digital material from being further distributed while the investigation remains underway.

The court also took note of submissions indicating that efforts had already been made by police to locate and apprehend the accused. However, investigators had reportedly not succeeded in making an arrest so far.

Consequently, the High Court instructed law enforcement authorities to intensify their efforts and ensure that investigative steps, including the preservation of digital evidence, are carried out without delay.

The development has attracted considerable attention within cricket circles because Porel is regarded as one of Bengal's promising young cricketers.

The wicketkeeper-batter has represented Bengal extensively in domestic cricket and has also featured for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. He has emerged as a notable performer in recent seasons and was retained by the franchise ahead of IPL 2026.

During the latest IPL season, Porel appeared in four matches and scored 108 runs, continuing his rise within India's domestic cricket structure.

The cricketer has denied all allegations against him.

In earlier statements, Porel reportedly described the accusations as false and maintained that he had committed no wrongdoing. He has asserted that the claims made against him are baseless and has rejected the allegations in their entirety.

At this stage, the High Court's directions relate to the investigation process and do not amount to a determination of guilt. The allegations and counterclaims are expected to be examined further as investigators gather evidence and record statements.

With the court now pushing for stronger investigative action, attention is likely to remain focused on the progress of the case and the findings that emerge from the digital and forensic examination of the evidence.

Further legal proceedings are expected in the coming weeks as the investigation continues.

In a significant ruling on disaster relief compensation, the Chhattisgarh High Court has held that a person who dies after falling from a tree during a storm or severe weather conditions is entitled to compensation under the state's natural disaster relief policy.

Setting aside an order of the Revenue Department that had denied relief, the court directed the state government to pay an ex gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh to the deceased's family within 30 days.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal of the Chhattisgarh High Court in a case arising from Mohla area of Rajnandgaon district.

Family Challenged Rejection of Compensation

The case was filed by Amar Singh, whose father, Shyamuram Mandavi, died on July 16, 2020, while collecting lac from a tree.

According to the petition, Shyamuram was working atop the tree when a sudden storm, accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds, caused him to lose balance and fall. He sustained fatal injuries in the accident.

Following the incident, police completed all legal formalities, including the inquest and post-mortem examination.

Revenue Department Had Denied Relief

Amar Singh later applied for compensation under the state's natural disaster relief policy, seeking the prescribed assistance of ₹4 lakh.

Based on the inquiry, the Naib Tehsildar recommended that compensation be granted. However, the Additional Collector rejected the claim on February 1, 2021, stating that death caused by falling from a tree was not covered under the Revenue Book Circular (RBC) provisions governing natural disaster relief.

The rejection prompted the petitioner to approach the High Court.

Court Interprets Disaster Relief Policy

During the hearing, the High Court referred to Clause 6 of the Revenue Book Circular (RBC) issued on June 9, 2015.

The court observed that deaths resulting from natural events such as storms, cyclones, floods and similar adverse weather conditions qualify as deaths caused by natural disasters. Therefore, relief cannot be denied merely because the immediate cause of death was a fall from a tree if the fall itself resulted from severe weather.

Justice Agrawal held that Shyamuram Mandavi's death was not an ordinary accident but occurred directly because of the storm and heavy rainfall, bringing it within the ambit of the state's disaster relief policy.

High Court Orders Compensation

Quashing the Additional Collector's order, the High Court directed the Chhattisgarh government to release ₹4 lakh as ex gratia assistance to the deceased's son within 30 days.

The ruling is expected to provide clarity in similar cases where fatalities occur due to the indirect effects of natural calamities, ensuring that affected families are not denied compensation solely because of the immediate manner in which the death occurred.

In a significant relief for senior medical officers in Madhya Pradesh, the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has set aside the state government's order retiring Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Madhav Prasad Hasani at the age of 62, ruling that he is entitled to continue in service until the age of 65.

Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt, while hearing the matter, held that Dr. Hasani falls within the category of medical officers eligible for the enhanced retirement age and directed that he be allowed to remain in service up to 65 years.

Retirement Order Challenged

Dr. Hasani had approached the High Court challenging the state government's order dated January 30, 2026, under which he was scheduled to retire on July 31, 2026, after attaining the age of 62.

In his petition, he argued that he had joined government service as a contractual Rural Medical Officer in 1999 and his services were regularised in 2005. He contended that he had continuously served in clinical healthcare before later being assigned administrative responsibilities, including the posts of Chief Block Medical Officer and CMHO.

Reference to Earlier Judgments

The petitioner maintained that the Madhya Pradesh government had already increased the retirement age of medical officers to 65 years to address the shortage of experienced doctors in public healthcare.

His counsel also relied on previous High Court judgments, including the case of Dr. Kantilal Sahu, where similarly placed medical officers were granted the benefit of the enhanced retirement age.

State Government's Stand

Opposing the petition, the state government argued that the benefit of retirement at 65 years is subject to specific conditions prescribed under the applicable service rules. According to the government, Dr. Hasani did not satisfy all the eligibility criteria required to claim the extended service period.

Court Recognises Continuous Medical Service

After examining the submissions from both sides, the High Court observed that Dr. Hasani had been rendering medical services continuously since 1999 and that the facts of his case were substantially similar to those decided in earlier judgments.

The court further noted that the government's decision to increase the retirement age of medical officers was intended to ensure the continued availability of experienced doctors in the state's healthcare system.

Holding that the January 30 retirement order was legally unsustainable, the court quashed the order and directed that Dr. Hasani be permitted to continue in service until he attains the age of 65.

Relief Granted

With the petition allowed, the High Court has directed the Madhya Pradesh government to take all necessary administrative steps to implement the order and ensure Dr. Hasani continues in service in accordance with the revised retirement age.

The ruling is expected to serve as an important precedent for similarly placed medical officers seeking the benefit of the state's enhanced retirement policy.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the post of Dean in government autonomous medical colleges cannot be filled through direct recruitment, holding that such appointments must be made through the prescribed promotion process under the existing recruitment rules.

The decision came while hearing petitions challenging the appointment process for Dean posts in autonomous medical colleges. The court observed that bypassing eligible candidates through direct recruitment would be inconsistent with the applicable service rules governing medical education institutions in the state.

According to the court, eligible professors already serving in the medical education system have a legitimate right to be considered for promotion. The recruitment mechanism cannot be altered through administrative action if the statutory rules provide for promotion as the prescribed mode of appointment.

The High Court also noted that autonomous medical colleges function under recruitment rules framed by the state government and that appointments to senior academic and administrative positions must strictly adhere to those provisions. The judgment reinforces the principle that executive decisions cannot override statutory recruitment rules.

The ruling is expected to have a significant impact on the appointment process in government autonomous medical colleges across Madhya Pradesh. Institutions that were planning to fill Dean vacancies through direct recruitment may now have to revisit their recruitment procedures in line with the court's directions.

The issue of appointments in autonomous medical colleges has been the subject of legal scrutiny on multiple occasions in recent years. Courts have repeatedly emphasized that promotion rules and service conditions cannot be diluted through executive orders unless the recruitment rules are formally amended in accordance with law.

Legal experts believe the judgment strengthens the rights of serving faculty members who are eligible for promotion and provides clarity on the appointment process for senior administrative posts in medical colleges.

Further administrative action by the Medical Education Department is expected following the High Court's ruling, particularly in cases where recruitment processes are underway or proposed for Dean positions.

High Court cancels anticipatory bail as CBI records 360-degree visuals of Giribala Singh’s Katara Hills home

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday moved rapidly after the Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled anticipatory bail for retired judge Giribala Singh in the high-profile death of 22-year-old Twisha Sharma, officials and sources said, with investigators conducting detailed digital mapping of the accused’s house and questioning her at the residence. According to sources familiar with the probe, Giribala could be arrested any time.

Order and timing

The High Court’s 17-page order, issued late on Wednesday, set aside the anticipatory bail granted earlier by a trial court. The bench observed that given the seriousness of the allegations, the evidence on record and the present stage of the investigation, relief was not warranted. The court noted multiple injury marks on Twisha’s body and said the accused had not offered satisfactory explanations, according to a copy of the order made available to reporters.

CBI activity at scene

A CBI team reached Giribala Singh’s home in the Katara Hills area of Bhopal around 10.30 am on Thursday and began questioning her, officials said. Investigators installed a high-intensity 3D camera inside the residence to take precise measurements and record 360-degree visuals of the first floor and other areas, part of a broader effort to recreate the crime scene and preserve digital evidence.

“Teams are recording the internal layout, the heights of walls and vantage points that could help corroborate statements,” an official involved in the probe said on condition of anonymity. The visuals are being added to the case file as scientific evidence, the source added.

Sequence of events

Twisha, who was married in 2023, died on the night of May 12 and was taken to AIIMS Bhopal, where an initial post-mortem recorded hanging marks and other injuries, the court order said. Police seized mobile phones and a DVR from the house the same day. The trial court had earlier granted anticipatory bail after noting certain WhatsApp messages that primarily complained about the husband and financial transfers into Twisha’s account. That order has now been overturned following a deeper review by the High Court.

Allegations and evidence

Prosecutors and investigating agencies contend WhatsApp chats and statements from Twisha’s family indicate alleged mental harassment, pressure to abort a pregnancy and demands for dowry. The High Court flagged inconsistencies in the defence account and raised concerns about potential attempts to influence the probe, noting public statements that could have tarnished the deceased’s image.

The post-mortem, the court said, found injuries that could not be explained simply as marks sustained while cutting down a body, making custodial interrogation of key accused necessary. The CBI has also been examining call detail records, digital backups and CCTV footage, and is probing whether any footage was tampered with, officials said.

Custody and questioning

Twisha’s husband, Samarth Singh, remains in CBI remand until May 29 as investigators try to reconstruct his whereabouts on the night of May 12 and reconcile his statements with technical evidence. Sources said the agency is also tracing contacts he had while allegedly absconding and matching his movements with phone records and digital footprints.

Security and ground reaction

Security around Giribala’s home was tightened on Thursday, with additional police personnel deployed in the neighbourhood. Local residents and journalists gathered outside the house; a reporter from a Bhopal daily filed live updates as the CBI proceeded. In a brief sighting on Thursday morning, Giribala was seen outside feeding street dogs, one source said.

What happens next

With anticipatory bail vacated and the CBI actively recording and analysing scene visuals, officials say an arrest could follow if questioning and evidence review point to custodial needs. The agency is expected to seek formal remand if it decides to take Giribala into custody. Court filings and formal charges, if any, will determine the next legal steps.

Investigators stressed that the probe is ongoing and that conclusions will rely on the forensic, digital and circumstantial evidence being assembled. The CBI declined immediate comment; the High Court registry confirmed the order but did not offer further comment beyond the written judgment.