Orders to remove illegal construction of temples built on footpath, affidavit sought from Corporation Commissioner

Jaipur. Rajasthan High Court has given instructions to remove illegal constructions of temples built on the common roads and footpaths of the city. The court has asked the state government to issue necessary directions to remove such constructions and shift the idols to nearby legitimate temples.

The court has asked the Corporation Commissioner to submit an affidavit on February 4 as to what action has been taken by him to remove such constructions. The division bench of Acting CJ Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sangeeta Sharma gave this order while hearing the PIL of Sunny Meena.

The court said in its order that it is clear from the documents presented by the petitioner that departmental action should also be taken against the officers concerned who gave permission for this construction. Along with this, the court has given seven days time to the corporation to remove the shops and temples built on the common road in Pratap Nagar Sector 7.

In the petition, advocate Amit Gupta told the court that in Sector 7 of Pratap Nagar, some people have encroached on the common road and built shops and a temple. These people are running shops under the cover of the temple.

After a PIL was filed, the Municipal Corporation demolished the shops, but no action was taken to remove the temple. On behalf of other parties including the Municipal Corporation, it was said that the temple is old and is connected with the faith of the people.

On the other hand, the Housing Board said that Pratap Nagar area has been transferred from the Housing Board to the Municipal Corporation. In such a situation, the entire responsibility of granting permission for construction and taking action rests with the Municipal Corporation.