Lucknow, Sep 8: A fresh political controversy erupted on Tuesday, a day after an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team examined a nearly 20-foot-deep well discovered during debris removal at the site where a mosque was demolished inside the Saharanpur Collectorate premises.

The inspection was carried out on Monday to ascertain the age, nature and possible historical significance of the structure, which was discovered beneath the debris at the site on Sunday.

ASI Assistant Archaeological Officer Manoj Kumar Yadav, who arrived in Saharanpur from Lucknow to examine the structure, inspected the site and stated that the materials visible at the location were part of the effort to establish its historical character.

According to Yadav, the structure appears to resemble architectural features associated with the late-medieval period in the North and Central Ganga Valley. The well has been constructed using Lakhauri bricks and lime-surki, materials that were commonly used in structures from earlier periods.

Based on the bricks, construction pattern and techniques observed at the site, officials have estimated that the structure could be around 200 to 250 years old.

However, Yadav said that a definitive assessment would require further examination, as debris inside the structure has prevented complete verification and clear historical evidence is still being investigated.

The discovery has also led to speculation over whether the structure could have any connection with the Shahjahan period or whether it may have formed part of a temple or another religious site in the past. However, Yadav cautioned against arriving at such historical conclusions without adequate archaeological evidence and said that the available material would need to be examined before establishing the exact history of the structure.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, speaking to reporters, said: “We will maintain law and order in Uttar Pradesh. Since the matter is before the court, it would not be appropriate to comment on it. The courts always keep options open. We are committed to maintaining law and order in Uttar Pradesh.”

Minister Narendra Kashyap said the Samajwadi Party should take note of the discovery of the well at the location where the mosque had stood and consider the circumstances surrounding the structure before questioning the demolition.

Speaking to IANS, Kashyap said, “Akhilesh Yadav should also look at the situation after the mosque was demolished. A well was found at the site where the mosque had been built. Wells have historically been one of the oldest ways of providing water to people. The well was filled in, and the mosque was built over it, and the mosque was constructed forcibly. Its demolition, carried out by following due legal procedure, should now not be questioned by Akhilesh Yadav.”

Kashyap further maintained that the demolition was carried out in accordance with the legal process and argued that the discovery of the well provided additional context to the dispute over the site. He said the matter should not be viewed separately from the legal proceedings that preceded the demolition.

Minister O.P. Rajbhar also reacted to the discovery and said the developments at the site were revealing further details.

“It has now been confirmed that the mosque was demolished following the court’s order. Now, when the well is being inspected, things are being revealed,” he said.

New Delhi, Sep 8: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday expressed condolences to the family of Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh, who died after being assaulted by a group of delivery workers and dhaba staff outside his apartment in Delhi.

LoP Rahul Gandhi called for a swift investigation into the incident and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice.

Taking to social media platform X, LoP Gandhi said, “Chongtham Vikram Singh ji, a renowned musician from Manipur, went downstairs to ask some men to lower the noise outside his home. He was beaten to death for it.”

“A father, killed outside his own home, in his own country’s capital. After many such incidents, every Northeast family in Delhi is asking the same question today. ‘Are we safe here?’,” he said.

LoP Gandhi further questioned the Union Home Ministry and Delhi Police over the incident.

“What are Shah’s MHA and Delhi Police doing to stop this growing lawlessness, especially against people from the Northeast? There must be a swift investigation, and the culprits must be brought to justice. My condolences to Vikram ji’s family,” LoP Gandhi said.

A 54-year-old Manipuri musician died after a group of delivery workers and dhaba staff allegedly assaulted him when he objected to their shouting and consumption of alcohol outside his apartment in Kilokari village in the early hours of Monday, officials said.

Police have arrested seven men and apprehended a juvenile in connection with the case.

The Sunlight Colony Police Station received a PCR call regarding the assault on C. Vikram Singh, a native of Manipur who had been residing in Kilokari village for several years.

A preliminary enquiry revealed that Singh had objected to a group of men allegedly creating a nuisance outside his residence. He sustained injuries after the men allegedly assaulted him with blows and punches, police said.

Singh’s son, Yaiphaba, rushed him to Holy Family Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to officials.

Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and Singh’s death.

The North East Students Society, Delhi University (NESSDU), condoled Singh’s death and described him as a ‘respected Manipuri musician’ who had built his life in Delhi around music for the last 20 years.

Guwahati, Sep 7: A nine-member team of Assam Chief Minister’s Vigilance Cell on Monday conducted a search at the official residence of Dhemaji District Development Commissioner (DDC) and senior Assam Civil Service (ACS) officer, Debeswar Bora, in connection with an ongoing probe into alleged irregularities and suspected possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The vigilance team arrived in Dhemaji from Guwahati in two vehicles and carried out the search at Bora’s government accommodation.

The officer was also questioned by the investigators during the operation.

Officials have so far not disclosed details of the case or specified the documents, assets or other materials examined during the search.

According to preliminary information, the Vigilance Cell initiated the case following a complaint filed by a doctor.

The allegations reportedly relate to Bora’s tenure as Joint Secretary in the Medical Education and Research Department under the state Health Department.

The complaint is understood to have led to a preliminary enquiry into alleged irregularities during his earlier posting.

During the course of the enquiry, certain properties and assets allegedly linked to the senior officer came under the scrutiny of the Vigilance Cell.

Sources said properties located in Guwahati and Lakhimpur are among those being examined as part of the probe.

Investigators are also reportedly looking into the ownership of some of the properties, which are allegedly registered in the names of Bora’s wife and other family members.

The probe is expected to examine the sources of funds used for acquiring the properties and whether they correspond with the known income of the officer and his family.

The search at the DDC’s official residence is part of the ongoing investigation and is expected to help the Vigilance Cell gather documents and other material relevant to the allegations.

The Vigilance Cell has not yet issued an official statement on the case or disclosed the findings of Monday’s search. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses. The allegations remain subject to verification and due legal process.