MEERUT: After razing at least 17 mosques and other structures in Sambhal, the district administration has escalated its crackdown on “illegal” encroachments by imposing heavy financial penalties on the structures built on government and pond land. On Thursday, tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh announced that violators would face a fine exceeding Rs 75 lakh for six properties including a mosque and madrassa, following the recent demolition drives in Asmoli area. Sambhal DM Rajendra Pensiya told TOI, “Measures taken to impose the penalty will continue. It is being imposed for years of encroachment and losses to the ecological system. In the past one year, we recovered dozens of ponds on which constructions were made. The water-table of these blocks got alarmingly depleted. After reviving these water bodies, we’re seeing a positive change.” Notably, significant penalties have been levied against several committees and individuals. Madina Mosque management faced a fine of Rs 9 lakh, while a staggering Rs 51 lakh was charged against a panel for operating an illegal madrassa. In Raya Buzurg, Gosul Barra Mosque committee was fined Rs 6 lakh for “encroaching on pond land”, and a marriage hall operator faced a Rs 6.4 lakh penalty. Additionally, individuals who built private houses on protected land had to pay over Rs 1 lakh. Authorities have warned that “if the fines are not paid within the stipulated time frame, recovery certificates will be issued, potentially leading to property seizure or imprisonment.” The tehsildar said that action against such illegal structures is being taken mainly in Salempur Salar (Hajipur) and Raya Buzurg villages.