The well, about 1.5 metres wide, was discovered on Sunday while workers were clearing rubble left after Saturday’s demolition. Officials said a slab noticed during the clearance was cut open, revealing the structure below. Saharanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Subodh Kumar reached the site and informed the ASI so specialists could determine the well’s age, origin and any archaeological significance.
Authorities have not established how old the well is or whether it has heritage value. Officials have said only that an archaeological examination is required, making the ASI assessment central to determining the structure’s historical character. Police personnel remained deployed around the Collectorate premises and access to the site was restricted while debris clearance continued.
The discovery came a day after the district administration demolished the mosque following a legal dispute over its status on government land. The structure had been declared unauthorised by the Saharanpur city magistrate in July, and the mosque management committee challenged that decision before the district court.
The district court dismissed the committee’s appeal on September 2, upholding the finding that the structure occupied government property without authorisation. The court’s ruling, however, did not itself contain an explicit direction ordering demolition. District authorities proceeded with the removal early on Saturday, saying the rejection of the appeal cleared the way for enforcement of the earlier order.
Deputy Inspector General of Police for Saharanpur Range Abhishek Singh said the administration was following established legal procedures and had taken preventive measures to maintain public order. All five entrances to the Collectorate complex were closed during the operation, while police, Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed.
The demolition operation continued for nearly 16 hours, with heavy machinery used to dismantle the structure and remove material from the site. Security arrangements were extended to sensitive areas of Saharanpur, where police conducted patrols and urged residents to ignore rumours.
The mosque management has disputed the administration’s account of the process. Its mutawalli, or custodian, Tanveer Ahmed, has argued that due procedure was not followed and said the committee intended to pursue further legal remedies. He has also maintained that the administration lacked a specific demolition order, a contention that differs from the authorities’ interpretation of the earlier magistrate and district court rulings.
The dispute began after a petition was filed in 2025 alleging that the mosque stood illegally on government land within the Collectorate compound.
The July proceedings were conducted under the Uttar Pradesh Public Premises Act, 1972. The city magistrate assessed damages of about ₹6.41 crore for the alleged unauthorised occupation, an amount challenged by the mosque side along with the eviction finding.
On July 16 this year, the city magistrate held the occupation to be unauthorised and ordered eviction. The administration also imposed a financial penalty linked to the occupation of about 315 square metres of land.
Saturday’s action drew criticism from opposition politicians. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the timing and manner of the demolition. Congress MP Imran Masood also criticised the administration, while Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan said police prevented her from travelling to Saharanpur and placed her under house arrest at her Kairana residence.
Authorities said the restrictions were intended to prevent disruption and maintain peace around the sensitive site. Police maintained a visible presence after the demolition as the administration moved to clear the remaining debris.
The newly uncovered well has now shifted immediate official attention from the demolition itself to the physical remains beneath the former structure. Until the ASI completes an inspection, officials have not assigned the well a confirmed date, historical use or protected status.
