New Delhi, Dec 20 : The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the city government to remove a makeshift temple allegedly constructed during the Covid-19 pandemic, on the pavement of public property at south Delhi’s Defence Colony.
While giving ten days for removal of the encroachment, the bench of Justice Rekha Palli also asked the police to ensure the idols and pictures be placed on a nearby temple to maintain its sanctity and directed the Public Works Department to assist the process.
The court also noted that it appears that neither one has been offering prayers on the site nor is any priest present in there.Earlier, the local police were directed to furnish a report with details of visitors to the structure.
The petitioner, a resident of the area namely Viraht Saini was seeking the removal of the makeshift temple right in front of his house on the pavement of Bhishma Pitamah Marg, claiming that it obstructed his right of way.In the plea, it was also alleged that taking advantage and shelter of the illegal construction, people gather there and resort to rowdiness and gambling.Earlier in October, the city government had submitted that no demolition of a religious structure, no matter how small, could take place without obtaining prior approval of the Religious Committee, constituted under the orders of the Lieutenant Governor.In the last hearing on December 7, the court had said there is no clarity as to whether the religious committee is required to look into the removal of encroachments that are of minuscule nature.
During the course of the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, referring to the apex court order, submitted that no encroachment could be permitted on public property.Additional Standing Counsel, representing the Delhi government, sought time to send the proposal of demolition of the structure in question to the religious committee.jw/shb/
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The petitioner was Viraht Saini, a local resident.He sought to have the temple removed from his property on Bhishma Pitamah Marg.
It was also claimed that people use the shelter provided by the illegal building to gather and gamble and have their way with rowdiness. The city government submitted earlier in October that demolitions of religious structures, regardless of their size, must be approved by the Religious Committee.
This committee was established under orders from the Lieutenant Governor.The court stated that it was unclear whether the religious committee must be constituted to examine the removal of minor encroachments at the December 7 hearing.
Referring to the December 7th apex court ruling, petitioner’s counsel stated that it was not clear whether the religious committee is required to investigate the removal of encroachments of minuscule nature.Additional Standing Counsel representing Delhi sought to request time for the submission of demolishment of the building in question.
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