After nearly four decades of illegal occupation, around six decimals of land belonging to the ISKCON-run Sri Sri Radha–Madhab Temple in Sylhet city have finally been recovered through an eviction drive conducted by the district administration.

The eviction was carried out on Monday (February 2) in the afternoon, following a court order, at the Osmani Medical Road area, opposite the second gate of Osmani Medical College Hospital.

The drive was conducted under the supervision of the district administration, during which illegally built structures were demolished using excavators. To maintain law and order, a large number of police personnel were deployed at the site. Officials said the operation was completed peacefully.

Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner Md Parvez, who led the drive, told the media that after verifying official records and documentary evidence, it was confirmed that the land legally belongs to Sri Sri Radha–Madhab Temple.

“Following court directives, the illegal occupants were evicted and possession of the land was handed over to the rightful owner,” he said.

According to administration sources, the temple authorities had approached the administration through legal channels after the land remained under occupation for a long time. The temple won verdicts in the lower court, district judge court and the High Court, after which the eviction decision was implemented following all legal procedures.

Eyewitnesses said that prior to the eviction, traders operating on the land voluntarily removed their goods. Later, the administration demolished different parts of the illegal structures.

His Holiness Bhakti Advaita Navadvip Swami Maharaj, President of the ISKCON-run Sri Sri Radha–Madhab Temple, said the recovery operation continued from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

“The recovered land has been fenced off, and a boundary wall will be constructed within the next week,” he said.

He added that the estimated market value of the recovered six decimals of land is around Tk 6 crore, and expressed gratitude to the district administration for their cooperation.

During the eviction drive, His Grace Uday Gaur Brahmachari, President of Sri Sri Nrisimha Jew Temple of Habiganj, along with a large number of devotees from the Sylhet temple, were present at the site.

The devotees said, “We have remained patient and respectful of the law for a long time. By the boundless mercy of Radha–Madhab, Jagannath-Baladeva-Subhadra, Lord Nrsimhadeva and Srila Prabhupada, justice has finally prevailed. We are all deeply grateful and joyful.”

A significant number of local residents and devotees were seen at the site during the operation. Following the recovery of the land, members of the Sanatani community in Sylhet and surrounding areas expressed joy, thanking the administration for its effective and lawful action.