604 'Unauthorized Religious Structures' Removed From Public Places In 2 Months: Gujarat Govt To High Court
The Gujarat Government informed the High Court last week that over 600 "unauthorized religious structures" have been removed between July to September from public places like parks and streets.
A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi in its October 1 order thereafter asked the government to place on record a "progress report" regarding the identification and removal of "unauthorized religious structures" from the public streets, public parts and other public places.
The court was hearing a 2006 plea concerning unauthorized constructions and encroachments in the state.
The high court in its order noted the submissions made in the affidavit of Secretary, Home Department in view of the court's July 22 order to indicate the progress made in compliance of the Supreme Court's directions issued in a 2006 special leave petition (SLP).
The order notes, "It is stated that steps for identification of the unauthorized religious structures has begun and an action has been taken for removal of such structures in priorities manner depending upon the actual ground reality, the magnitude of public hindrance caused due to such structures and the area covered by such unauthorized religious structure during the period from 01.07.2024 to 10.09.2024, approximately two months, in all 604 religious structures have been removed, out of which 318 were in district areas and 286 were in municipal corporation areas".
The court was told that 87 religious structures have been relocated and 6 structures have been regularized from the public streets, public parks and other public places.
The court thereafter said, "Taking note of the above, we post this matter on 03.12.2024 at 01:00 pm to bring the progress report before us about identification and removal of the unauthorized religious structures from the public streets, public parts and other public places. The personal affidavit of the Secretary, Home Department, Government of Gujarat shall be filed in compliance of this order on the next date fixed".
Case title: THE TIMES OF INDIA ( SUO - MOTU ) v/s THE STATE OF GUJARAT & ORS.