PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) sealed the Jamia Islamia madarsa in Sahaspur, Dehradun district on Monday due to its unauthorised construction. The action was taken after repeated notices and hearings failed to produce necessary approvals for the building, as per the officials. They said that the madarsa had been under scrutiny for the past several months for carrying out construction without the required clearance from the planning authority.
They informed that the issue first came to light when a show cause notice was issued on April 20, 2023, under the Uttarakhand (UP Town Planning and Development Act, 1973) Amendment Act, 2009. Officials delivered the notice on April 29, 2023, informing the madarsa management of the violation and summoning them for a hearing. Despite scheduled hearings on May 2 and May 16, 2023, no approved building plan or satisfactory response was reportedly submitted by them as per the officials.
They further informed that a regional engineer’s report on June 1, 2023, stated that a new mosque was being constructed alongside the existing madarsa, with additional columns raised on the second floor. In response, the authorities reportedly issued another notice on June 8, 2023, warning that the structure could be sealed. Several hearings followed but no relevant approvals were presented. The officials said that an inspection on March 21, 2025, found continued construction of a second floor covering approximately 100 by 50 feet without permission. The engineer’s report recommended sealing the premises and the final order was passed.
They said that the madarsa management was instructed to vacate the premises before the sealing, which was carried out as scheduled. Authorities have warned that tampering with the seal will be considered a legal offense. A copy of the sealing order was also posted on-site and delivered to the madarsa management, the officials added.
