HC orders removal of illegal temple in South Delhi

One-liner: The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Delhi govt to remove an illegally constructed temple on public land in South Delhi, noting that no religious activity was going on there.

SC direction: Based on the Supreme Court's earlier direction disallowing unauthorised construction of temple or gurdwara, there is no question why the encroachment is not removed expeditiously so that it is not misused, the HC said.

Ultimatum: A judge directed the Delhi govt to remove within 10 days the encroachment which is illegally constructed by someone in front of a property in South Delhi's Defence Colony and asked Delhi Police to provide assistance in this.

• To this, the counsel for the Delhi govt said the court can order demolition but if the agencies have to make a decision, they have to first take permission from the religious committee
• The court also asked the SHO of the concerned police station to ensure that the idols put inside the illegal structure are placed in a nearby temple so that their sanctity is preserved and the sentiments of Hindus respected

Need to know: The court noted that earlier the Delhi govt had submitted that the authorities plan to demolish the illegal structure on Oct 4, however, now it has referred the matter to the religious committee.

• It had earlier pulled up the Delhi govt for not fulfilling its stand to demolish the illegally constructed temple and referring the issue to the religious committee for its approval, saying this will lead to chaos and more encroachment

Source: PTI