Bharuch: The district administration demolished an alleged illegal dargah and mazaar built on government grazing (gauchar) land in Gowali village of Jaghadiya taluka. The action was carried out under tight police security following the expiry of a final notice issued by the Gram Panchayat.

It is learnt that the structures of the Balapir Dargah, along with two mazaars and a room, had been constructed on government pasture land bearing Survey No. 169 and Account No. 453 without prior approval from the Gram Panchayat. The land is located near a cemetery in the village.

Local residents had raised objections, alleging encroachment on gauchar land, and submitted representations to the Gram Panchayat and district authorities seeking removal of the construction. The Gram Panchayat had reportedly issued multiple notices over the years directing the concerned parties to remove the alleged encroachment voluntarily.

A final notice was served, setting a deadline of 2 pm on February 27, 2026, for removal of the structure. As no compliance was reported within the stipulated time, the administration launched a demolition drive.

During the operation, heavy police deployment was arranged to prevent any untoward incident. Officials from the district administration and Bharuch police remained present at the site as bulldozers razed the dargah structure, two mazaars, and the adjoining room. A crowd of villagers gathered at the location, but the situation remained under control.

Sources said no trustee associated with the structure was present at the time of the demolition, and only a caretaker was reportedly at the site.

Officials stated that the land measurement conducted earlier had confirmed the construction stood on government grazing land. The administration has indicated that strict action will continue against any encroachment on public land in the district. DeshGujarat