A Shiva temple has been discovered inside a locked house in Mahmood Khan Sarai, Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh. This house belonged to a Hindu family during the 1976 riots and was later sold. It is said that the house has remained closed ever since.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: A temple has been reopened in Sambhal.
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024
Patron of Nagar Hindu Sabha, Vishnu Sharan Rastogi claims that the temple has been re-opened after 1978. pic.twitter.com/UQdzODtuYa
On Saturday morning, the district administration carried out a large-scale operation against encroachment and electricity theft in the Shahi Jama Masjid area of Sambhal. During this drive, a Lord Shiva temple, which had been closed for 46 years, was reopened. The temple was found inside a locked house in the Mahmood Khan Sarai area, which belonged to a Hindu family during the 1976 riots.
The house was later sold and had remained closed ever since. Under the supervision of District Magistrate (DM) Rajendra Pensia and Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, the temple was cleaned, and excavation of the well was initiated. DM Pensia stated that an investigation is underway to determine the ownership of the house.
Strict action is ongoing in the Shahi Jama Masjid area to remove encroachments and prevent electricity theft. The administration’s team has ordered the removal of encroachments from roads and drains in the area. During the campaign against electricity theft, over 300 houses were found involved in power theft, including several mosques.
The team discovered that one mosque was running 59 fans, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and 25-30 light points using stolen electricity. Executive Engineer of the Electricity Department, Naveen Gautam, stated that action is being taken against the offenders. To ensure the safety of the electricity department teams, the police have deployed two platoons of force in the area. This strict action by the administration has caused a stir in the region.
Unauthorised electricity connection inside mosque
Under the leadership of DM Dr. Rajendra Pensia and SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, the electricity department conducted a checking drive in areas like Raisatti, Nakhasa, Hindupara Kheda, and Deepa Sarai under the Nakhasa police station limits. Power theft was detected in several houses, including some mosques. Reports of electricity theft will be filed against all offenders, and fines amounting to lakhs of rupees will be imposed.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shreesh Chandra stated that during the investigation, it was found that some individuals had encroached on the temple land and built houses. The temple contains idols of Lord Shiva and Hanuman. Earlier, Hindu families lived in this area but left for some reason. The temple is now being cleaned, and action will be taken against the encroachers.
Information has also surfaced about an ancient well, which is currently under investigation. This operation has caused a stir in the area. The administration has made it clear that encroachment on any religious site or public property will not be tolerated, and strict legal action will be taken against the encroachers.
Temples discovered during operation against electricity theft in Jama Masjid area
During an anti-electricity theft drive on Saturday in the Jama Masjid area, a Lord Shiva and Hanuman temple that had been closed for 46 years was discovered. The temple had been encroached upon and turned into residential houses. The administration cleaned the temple and announced strict action against the encroachers.
District Magistrate (DM) Dr. Rajendra Pensia stated that during the campaign against electricity theft, a temple was found that had been encroached upon and closed.
The temple is being cleaned, and an ancient well nearby, which had been covered with a ramp, has been uncovered. The temple will be handed over to its rightful owners, and action will be taken against the encroachers. Additionally, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be approached to conduct carbon dating to determine the temple’s antiquity.
