Methodist Mission School Land Grant Cancelled in Uttar Pradesh, Church and School Spared Immediate Action

SITAPUR, Uttar Pradesh, June 25, 2026 — A government order cancelling the grant of more than 3.5 hectares of land occupied by a Methodist mission-run school in Sitapur has raised concerns among Christian institutions, even as authorities have assured that the school and church located on the property will not face immediate disruption.

The District Magistrate Court on June 24 cancelled the grant of 3.562 hectares of nazul land occupied by Methodist Mission Girls Junior High School in the Civil Lines area, ruling that conditions attached to the government lease had been violated. The order vested the land back with the State Government and directed revenue officials to initiate further action.

Soon after the ruling, officials from the revenue department visited the school premises and affixed a copy of the 34-page order at the institution's main gate. The land is estimated to be worth nearly ₹100 crore.

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According to the administration, the case centred on the alleged misuse of nazul land—government-owned land leased for specific purposes—and violations of lease conditions. Authorities maintained that the land remains public property and can be reclaimed by the government when lease conditions are breached.

The missionary management had argued that the property belonged to the institution on the basis of an alleged sale deed dating back to 1862 and claimed that the land was freehold property. However, the court rejected the claim, noting that the institution had for decades paid rent under a 1906 lease agreement and that the land continued to be recorded as nazul property in official registers.

The school management also invoked Article 30 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. The court, however, held that constitutional protections for minority institutions do not extend to indefinite occupation of government land where lease conditions have allegedly been violated.

Officials stressed that the action constituted recovery of government property rather than acquisition of a minority institution's assets.

In a measure aimed at safeguarding the interests of students, the administration exempted a portion of the land from immediate action. Approximately 0.391 hectares, including the school building, classrooms, assembly hall, kitchen, toilets and playground, will remain with the institution for the time being.

Authorities said the decision was taken to ensure that the education of the school's 468 enrolled students is not disrupted during the current academic year. The church located within the campus has also been spared immediate action in recognition of its religious significance.

Revenue officials reported that a substantial portion of the land—around 2.564 hectares—had remained vacant for a prolonged period and was covered with overgrowth. Some structures on the property were also found to be in a dilapidated condition.

The administration now plans to take possession of nearly 2.998 hectares of the land and transfer it to the Municipal Council for the construction of a modern vending zone intended to accommodate street vendors and support local employment initiatives.

The Sub-Registrar has been directed to prevent any sale, transfer or registration involving the disputed land until further orders.

District Magistrate Dr. Raja Ganapathy R. described the decision as part of a broader effort to protect government-owned land and ensure its proper utilisation.

"Encroachment on government land and violations of lease conditions will not be tolerated, regardless of how old or influential an institution may be," he said, adding that the action had been taken strictly in accordance with legal procedures.

The development is likely to attract attention from minority rights groups and Christian organisations, particularly because it involves a long-established mission-run educational institution. While the school and church have been allowed to continue functioning for now, the case highlights the complex legal and administrative challenges faced by some faith-based institutions occupying historic leasehold properties across India.

As the matter unfolds, Church leaders and educational authorities are expected to closely monitor the implications of the ruling for minority-run institutions and their constitutional rights.

Courtesy: Amar Ujala