The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) on Saturday (27 May) demolished a dargah at Mansa Devi Complex in Sector 4 Panchkula, citing road safety as reason.

Heavy police presence was observed during the early morning operation.

According to HUDA officials, the dargah had caused several accidents as the lane had become a blind spot. Moreover, a 60 metre wide road was going to be built in the area, leaving no choice but to pull down the "illegally encroached" structure.

Jai, the caretaker of the 50-year-old dargah, claimed that enforcement officials raided without any prior notice and not only vandalised the property but also took away the cash box and silver.

The Haryana Urban Development Authority officials who carried out the action explained that the lane where the dargah was located had become a blind spot, making it more prone to accidents.

They added that a new 60-metre wide road will soon be constructed in the area.

“It is only after following a due procedure that the structure has been pulled down," Manav Malik, estate officer, HUDA Panchkula was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

"Our teams had identified the caretakers of the same and they reside in the nearby village of Bhainsa Tibba," Malik said.

He added that the caretakers were called and informed that the dargah was just on the turn, becoming a blind spot leading to many accidents.

Malik explained that even after notifying the caretakers to relocate their dargah, no action had been taken.

“Moreover there were no ownership in the records also. It was an illegally-encroached structure on our land," he said.

"Later, a project of 60-metre road widening came,” the official added.

He said that when the land was acquired, there was a clause which mentioned of affected parties to claim their objections.

“No one came during that time as well. So the drive was carried out because the road had to come up,” the official said.