District authorities in Sant Kabir Nagar on Tuesday halted demolition at a madrasa linked to UK-based Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan in Khalilabad after the Allahabad high court granted an interim stay.
The structure, located in the Gosht Ki Mandi area, had already been partially demolished on April 26. The action followed order from the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) court, which was upheld by the divisional commissioner’s court in Basti on the evening of April 25.
The madrasa management moved the high court after their appeal was dismissed. Petitioner Tauseef Raza, son of Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan, challenged the order, following which the court directed authorities to maintain status quo until further hearing.
District magistrate Alok Kumar said the demolition drive had been stopped in compliance with the court’s directions. “Further action will depend on the final outcome of the case,” he added.
Officials said the court granted an interim stay, noting that the matter requires detailed hearing, and directed the administration to cease all action until the next date.
According to authorities, the madrasa management contested the classification of the land as state property. Officials, however, claimed that the building lacked an approved map and was constructed on land recorded as government property.
“The action was initiated after due legal process at the district level, where the land was declared vested with the state. However, the matter is now sub judice,” a senior revenue official said.
