Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur arrested former Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson and social media activist Huda Zariwala on Monday after she arrived at the Circuit House to protest the demolition of a mosque on the district collectorate premises.
Police said they took Zariwala into custody after she insisted on entering the Circuit House. Her arrest followed a complaint over remarks she made in a video about the mosque’s demolition and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
In the video, Zariwala described the demolition as a “criminal activity” and questioned who had authorised the action. She also said the Muslim community would oppose those responsible. Police said the video contained objectionable remarks about the chief minister.
Advocate Dushyant Singh filed a complaint against Zariwala at Saharanpur’s Sadar Bazar police station on Monday, alleging that her comments were objectionable and could anger people. Police subsequently arrested her on the basis of the complaint.
Zariwala previously worked as an AAP spokesperson and as an anchor with a media organisation in London. She now identifies herself as a social activist and YouTuber.
The case concerns a mosque located on the collectorate premises that the administration said was unauthorised. Officials said the structure, which was reportedly around 70 years old, occupied about 3,300 square feet and included five rooms.
The dispute began after former Bajrang Dal leader Vikas Tyagi complained to the district magistrate in February 2025, alleging that the mosque had been built illegally. He also alleged that rent was being collected for rooms on the premises, including one being used as a post office.
The district magistrate subsequently ordered an inquiry, which found the structure to be unauthorised, according to the administration.
The matter then moved to the courts. On July 16, 2026, a city magistrate declared the mosque unauthorised and ordered its removal, while also directing recovery of Rs 6.41 crore as compensation. The occupants were given 30 days to vacate.
The mosque’s side challenged the order before the district court on July 20. The court initially stayed the demolition order on July 24 while hearing the matter.
On September 2, however, District Judge Satendra Kumar upheld the city magistrate’s order and dismissed the challenge.
The administration subsequently demolished the mosque on the collectorate premises.
The demolition has since triggered political and social reactions in Saharanpur. Zariwala’s arrest came amid those developments after she travelled to the city to protest against the action.
The police case against her is separate from the underlying dispute over the mosque, which has already gone through administrative proceedings and hearings before the magistrate and district courts.
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