A land dispute involving nearly five bighas of property valued at around ₹50 crore in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has reached the next stage of administrative action. The SDM court has ordered the restoration of around 3,350 square metres of land in the Sher Khan Sarai area in the name of the Arya Samaj temple and Gram Samaj. The order has also led to the cancellation of 11 names listed in the revenue records.

An administrative survey of the disputed property found 10 permanent houses and a mazar on the land. Following the court order, the administration has asked the occupants to vacate the property. Officials have warned that eviction and bulldozer action may follow if they fail to comply with the order.

The dispute began when the Arya Samaj temple approached the district administration around a year ago. The temple claimed that Gata numbers 103, 106 and 107 had been recorded in its name during the consolidation process in 1960. It alleged that the land was later transferred to private individuals through fraud and collusion.

Sambhal SDM Vikas Chandra took up the case. The court allowed both sides to submit documents and present their evidence. Hearings continued for nearly a year as the administration examined the claims made by both parties.

During the proceedings, the SDM directed the tehsildar to inspect the disputed land and submit a report. The inspection identified the 3,350-square-metre property as land belonging to the Arya Samaj temple. The survey also found more than 10 permanent houses and a mazar on the site.

Based on the inspection report, SDM Vikas Chandra ordered that the land be recorded again in the name of the Arya Samaj temple and the Gram Samaj. The order cancelled the names of Akila Begum, Ahmed Hasan, Ghulam Waris, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Alam, Mohammad Hasan, Mahir Hussain, Takirullah, Nurullah, Shabbiran and Sultan from the revenue records with immediate effect.

Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh said the disputed plots were originally recorded as Arya Samaj temple land and the management of the property had been entrusted to the Gram Samaj head.

“Gata numbers 103, 106 and 107 were recorded in the revenue records as land belonging to the Arya Samaj temple, whose management was handed over to the Gram Samaj head. But earlier, the Gram Samaj head and some local people illegally occupied the entire land, carried out plotting and sold it. A mazar and more than 10 houses had been constructed on this land,” he said.

The tehsildar said the SDM court passed the order after considering the investigation report. The administration has now started preparations for further action over the alleged encroachment.

Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh appealed to the occupants to leave the disputed property voluntarily. He warned that the administration could take action under the rules if they failed to comply with the order.

“Our appeal is that people should vacate the land on their own; otherwise, eviction and bulldozer action will be taken as per the rules,” he said.

After the SDM court's order, a revenue department team reached the disputed site with a heavy police presence. The team took measurements of the property. Officials are now preparing the inspection report and taking steps for further legal proceedings.

The Muslim side, however, has challenged the administration's claims about the mazar. Local cleric Maulana Musharraf Hussain alleged that the structure was around 100 to 150 years old. He claimed that the site dates back to the period of Mughal emperor Akbar and that an annual Urs is held there.

“This mazar is around 100 to 150 years old and is said to date back to the time of Mughal emperor Akbar. Arrangements have been made here for the annual Urs. Although the administration is calling it Arya Samaj land, our elders say that this was purchased land on which the dargah was built,” he alleged.

The dispute is now expected to move into further legal proceedings under Section 67 in the Tehsildar's court. Notices may be issued to the occupants over the alleged illegal occupation. The administration may then proceed with eviction and removal of encroachments if the occupants do not vacate the property within the prescribed period. This could include action against the mazar as well.