Demolition of Illegal Structures Near Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain

In a significant move, Ujjain's municipal corporation has demolished illegal structures in Begum Bagh Colony, adjacent to the Mahakaleshwar Temple. This action follows the expiration of lease agreements for the plots, which had been misused for commercial purposes. The Ujjain Development Authority had previously issued notices and ultimately terminated the leases. Despite legal challenges from plot holders, the demolition proceeded after court dismissals. The reclaimed land is set to be utilized for infrastructure projects by the Madhya Pradesh government. Enhanced security measures were implemented during the operation, ensuring a smooth process.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 24, 2026, 17:40 IST

Demolition of Structures in Begum Bagh Colony

A team from the municipal corporation has carried out the demolition of alleged illegal buildings in Begum Bagh Colony, located near the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. The administration removed approximately 16 structures built on around 11 plots after their lease period expired. Adequate security measures, including police deployment and barricading, were implemented during the operation.

According to officials, the Ujjain Development Authority (UDA) had granted leases for residential use in the Begum Bagh area in 1985 for a duration of 30 years. However, instead of using these plots for residential purposes, the leaseholders engaged in commercial activities, violating regulations. Furthermore, the leases expired in 2014-15 and were not renewed. The UDA issued several notices regarding these plots and terminated the leases of the plot holders in 2023-24.

Legal Challenges and Court Orders

Following this, the plot holders approached the courts, where they obtained stay orders. Cases related to these plots remained pending in various courts. After their petitions were dismissed by lower courts, the High Court, and the Supreme Court, the demolition process was initiated. Sandeep Soni, CEO of the UDA, stated that the area was developed under a residential scheme, and plots were leased for residential use. However, misuse of the plots led to the cancellation of approximately 45 leases. Consequently, today, 16 structures on about 11 plots are being demolished. The district administration, police, and municipal authority are overseeing the removal process, after which the land will be reclaimed.

Future Use of the Land

Since the land belongs to the Ujjain Development Authority, it has been taken back into their possession. Additionally, the Madhya Pradesh government plans to utilize these lands for the widening of the Hari Fatak Bridge and road construction.

City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Rahul Deshmukh reported that around 50 police personnel were deployed at the site, with surveillance being conducted through CCTV cameras and drones. He mentioned that today, some houses in Begum Bagh Colony, whose lease periods have expired, are being demolished. To ensure safety, officers from three police stations and approximately 50 police personnel are present at the location, along with barricades and continuous monitoring through CCTV and drone cameras.