Second temple unlocked in Sambhal, ASI team set to visit first one

Authorities in Sambhal unlocked the doors of a second temple in the Sarai Tarin area, around 2 kilometers from the Shahi Jama Masjid on Dec 18, where a court-ordered survey took place recently.

The newly reopened Balaji temple, believed to be around 32 years old, attracted around 50 people who gathered to offer prayers.

Inside the temple, statues of Hindu deities, including Krishna, Radha, and Hanuman, were discovered, as confirmed by police officers at the site.

This marks the second temple to be unlocked by district authorities in recent days. On Dec 14, the district administration had also reopened a temple in Khaggu Sarai, reportedly discovered during a drive against power theft. The Khaggu Sarai temple had been closed since 1978.

Following a request from Sambhal District Magistrate Dr. Rajender Pensiya for a scientific investigation of the Khaggu Sarai temple, officials confirmed that an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team will visit the site on Dec 19.

Meanwhile, in Khaggu Sarai, several Muslim residents have been removing parts of their homes that encroached upon the temple area and roads.

One local resident, acknowledging the issue, said, "I brought down the construction myself… I realised that it’s incorrect.” Another resident expressed concern, saying, “The fine they would charge me would be very high… I was scared.”

In a related development, the local authorities issued a notice to Samajwadi Party MP Ziyaur Rehman Barq for alleged illegal construction.

District Magistrate Pensiya explained, "We have served notices to the MP and other residents under the Regulations of Building Operations Act, 1958, because they have constructed, or are constructing structures without getting the maps approved."

Barq was given 15 days to respond before a fine is imposed. However, Barq has not responded to calls or messages for comment.