April,19,2016:
Curb rampant encroachment of public space in the name of Religion, says SC.
It is actually an insult to God to have unauthorised religious structures on roads and pavements, obstructing public space, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday.
The apex court pulled up State governments for not lifting a finger to curb rampant encroachment of public space in the name of religion despite several Supreme Court orders since 2006.
A Bench led by Justice V. Gopala Gowda reached the brink of issuing summons to State Chief Secretaries to initiate contempt proceedings but was dissuaded by panel lawyers present in the courtroom representing various States. They assured the court of immediate action and agreed to file status reports.
Justice Gowda slammed the States for having done “nothing” to free the public landscape from unauthorised places of worship. The Bench said the States cannot afford to turn a blind eye. It did not mince its words when it told the States to “demolish these structures”.
“God never intended to obstruct public way and this is an insult to God,” the Bench, also comprising Arun Mishra, observed.
Noting that its orders are not meant to be kept in the freezer, the court finally gave the States a deadline of two weeks to file their affidavits comprehensively detailing the steps taken to curb the construction of these unauthorised structures, failing which the Chief Secretaries of the States concerned would be summoned.
“If you have no respect for court orders, we will deal with the States,” the Bench said.
The apex court was hearing the Centre's petition challenging the Gujarat High Court order of May 2006 directing municipal corporations in the State to demolish all illegal structures, including places of worship, on public roads.
The apex court had expanded the scope of the petition to cover all States and Union Territories. Hindu
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