SC Sets Aside HC Order Asking Gujarat Govt To Compensate And Fund Rebuilding Of Shrines Damaged During 2002 Gujarat Riots [Read Judgment]

The Supreme Court today set aside the Gujarat High Court order asking the state government to  compensate or fund the restoration of places of worship, mostly mosques, damaged due to its alleged failure to maintain law and order during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the bench set aside the HC order after accepting the government scheme that the same  fixed ex-gratia amount given to residential and commercial properties shall be given to the damaged religious shrines.

The bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Prafullah C Pant had heard a petition filed by the Gujarat Government challenging the 2012 order of the High Court directing it to pay actual compensation after the district judges quantify and assess the actual damage to over 500 shrines damaged during the post-Godhra riots.

The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict in the matter on April 22.

The apex court on August 27, 2013 had directed the maintenance of status quo on the February 8, 2012 order of the High Court and decided to examine the legal issues arising out of the matter.

The bench had said it has to be examined how far it would be constitutional to command the state to give money from its funds which come from tax payers for restoration, relocation and renovation of religious structures damaged due to its failure to maintain law and order situation.