Sambhal Administration: The district of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh has recently witnessed a strong and coordinated administrative drive aimed at curbing electricity theft and removing illegal encroachments from government land. Senior officials from the civil administration and police jointly led field operations, sending a clear message that violations of public law and misuse of state resources will not be tolerated. These actions reflect a broader governance effort focused on transparency, legality, and protection of public assets.
A major operation targeting illegal electricity usage was conducted late at night in the Deepa Sarai locality of Sambhal. The inspection drive was personally supervised by District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya and Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, who remained present throughout the operation. A significant police force accompanied them to maintain order and ensure the safety of officials during the checks.
During the inspections, authorities found multiple households drawing electricity through unauthorized connections. After verification, power supplies were immediately disconnected on the spot. Officials stated that such strict measures were necessary to discourage repeat offenses and to protect the power distribution system from losses caused by unlawful consumption.
Teams from the electricity department also participated in the operation and recovered several immersion rods and electric heaters from inside inspected premises. These devices were being used without valid connections, contributing to excessive load and safety risks. According to officials, unchecked electricity theft not only causes financial damage to the state but also increases the chances of electrical accidents and infrastructure failure.
The operation gained further attention as it was carried out close to the residence of Sambhal Member of Parliament Ziaur Rehman Barq. Administrators recalled that similar late-night drives in the previous year had uncovered illegal power distribution hubs operating from religious structures, where electricity was diverted to nearby homes.
In a notable development, residents of Salempur Salar village dismantled an illegally constructed mosque even before the district administration could initiate official demolition. The structure had been built without authorization on land recorded as Gram Samaj property, covering approximately 439 square meters.
During the night between January 3 and January 4, members of the local Muslim community took the decision to remove the structure themselves. Local observers suggested that this step was taken to prevent potential losses that could arise from government-led bulldozer action. The move was seen as an attempt to cooperate with authorities and reduce tensions.
Sambhal tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap confirmed that the demolition drive had been scheduled for 10 am, but by the time officials arrived, the structure had already been removed. According to him, villagers and members of the mosque committee arranged a private bulldozer and completed the demolition on their own initiative. Officials acknowledged the cooperation while reiterating that construction on public land without approval remains a serious violation.
The Sambhal administration also carried out bulldozer action against an illegal madrasa in Hajipur village. Officials stated that around 2.5 bigha of Gram Panchayat land had been encroached upon. Nearly 4,000 square meters of this land was being used not only for religious education but also for commercial activities.
Despite issuing multiple notices and providing sufficient time to remove the illegal construction, the occupants failed to comply with administrative orders. As a result, authorities proceeded with demolition, emphasizing that repeated warnings cannot be ignored indefinitely.
In Rawa Buzurg village, the administration demolished an unauthorized mosque constructed on government land measuring 552 square meters. The demolition process was carried out in two phases. The first phase took place on October 2, 2025, while the second phase was completed on January 4.
Officials revealed that villagers had earlier assured the administration that they would remove the structure themselves. When this assurance was not fulfilled within the given timeframe, the administration stepped in to complete the task. Authorities maintained that equal application of the law is essential to maintain public trust.
Taken together, these actions highlight a sustained and systematic enforcement campaign in Sambhal. The administration has made it clear that power theft and illegal occupation of public land will be addressed firmly, regardless of location or community. Officials believe that consistent enforcement will act as a deterrent and help restore lawful use of government resources.
Reports of these developments were also covered by national media outlets such as NDTV, bringing wider attention to the district’s administrative measures. The Sambhal administration has reiterated its commitment to continue such drives in the future to ensure accountability and lawful governance.
