Varanasi: In a major administrative operation linked to the expansion of the ambitious Kashi Model Railway Station project, authorities in Varanasi demolished the Ajgaib Shaheed Mosque, a structure claimed by local residents to be around 200 years old, during a late-night operation on Tuesday. Officials described the action as the execution of a court-backed decision aimed at removing an encroachment from railway land and facilitating a key infrastructure project for the city.
The demolition began shortly after midnight and was completed in approximately 22 minutes with the help of five bulldozers. According to officials, more than 1,000 police personnel were deployed in and around the site to maintain law and order and ensure that the operation proceeded without any disturbance. Barricades were erected around the area, and public movement was restricted during the operation.
Authorities stated that the action was carried out at night to minimize disruption to traffic and daily activities in one of the city’s busy areas. By morning, officials said, all debris from the demolished structure had been cleared and transported away in trucks.
The mosque and adjoining graveyard were located in the Kila Kohna area near Bhadau Chungi. While members of the Muslim community maintained that the mosque had existed for generations, the administration asserted that the land belonged to the railways and had been illegally occupied over time. According to officials, the site initially housed a shrine and later saw the construction of a mosque and graveyard.
The dispute gained prominence after plans for the Kashi Model Railway Station were announced in 2024. During land surveys conducted for the project, railway authorities reportedly identified the land as part of railway property. Notices were subsequently issued to the mosque’s trustee, seeking the vacation of the land.
Officials said the matter was contested in court, but the final decision went in favor of the railways. Following the verdict, the administration issued multiple notices asking occupants to vacate the site. When compliance did not occur, authorities proceeded with the demolition.
The administration has presented the action as a necessary step for a large-scale infrastructure project that is expected to significantly enhance transportation facilities in Varanasi. The proposed Kashi Model Railway Station is planned as a three-storey complex spread across approximately 47 acres and is estimated to cost around ₹3,000 crore.
The project aims to integrate multiple modes of transport, including rail, road, and water connectivity. Plans also include the development of a five-star hotel, a general-class hotel, an Urban Haat, and several passenger-centric amenities. The station is expected to be connected to National Highway 44, improving regional connectivity and easing commuter movement.
Supporters of the action argue that infrastructure development projects of this scale require the removal of encroachments irrespective of the nature of the structure involved. They contend that adherence to court orders and land ownership records is essential for ensuring orderly urban development and preventing delays in public projects.
At the same time, some local residents expressed emotional distress over the demolition. Naseer Ahmed Ansari said he had been offering prayers at the mosque since childhood and was saddened by its removal. Others recalled the site’s long history and its significance within the local community.
However, another local resident, Rajkumar, who has operated a shop in the area for decades, claimed the site had evolved over time and described earlier conditions at the location, adding another dimension to the dispute surrounding the land.
Meanwhile, lawyer Mohammad Moiddin Khan, also known as Rocky, stated that legal issues related to the property remain under discussion and referred to records associated with the Waqf Board.
Despite differing views, the administration has maintained that the demolition was conducted in accordance with legal procedures and was necessary for the execution of a major public infrastructure project.
