SUPREME COURT PERMITS UTTARAKHAND GOVT TO DEMOLISH ILLEGAL RELIGIOUS STRUCTURES ON PUBLIC LAND

SUPREME COURT PERMITS UTTARAKHAND GOVT TO DEMOLISH ILLEGAL RELIGIOUS STRUCTURES ON PUBLIC LAND

19^TH NOVEMBER 2020

The Supreme Court directed the demolition of four illegal religious structures on public land in Haridwar. The demolition deadline, however, has been extended to May 31, 2021

Acting on a plea by State Government, a three-judge bench declined to entertain any intervention application by Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad against the illegal structures' proposed demolition. The State of Uttarakhand has contended in court that the land belongs to the irrigation department.

The Court said that it is not acceptable that the structures cannot be demolished, as they have been classified as “unauthorized structures.” Justice Bhushan said that these structures are unauthorized as these were constructed without permission.

The state had maintained that it would take time to clear all illegal structures in Haridwar, as many of them are used to host Kumbh Mela scheduled early next year.