Dehradun, Sept. 24 -- Acting on a directive of the Supreme Court, officials of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, assisted by Dehradun police personnel, today sealed a religious structure known locally as "Van Masjid" situated in the Asarodi forest area on the Uttarakhand-UP border. The apex court's order came in response to a petition related to the legality of the structure, which forest authorities had earlier identified as unauthorised and in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Soon after the order was pronounced, a joint team of forest and police officials reached the site and locked down the premises, directing that the status quo be maintained. The Police cordoned off the approach road while forest staff affixed official notices on t...