The Supreme Court on Friday directed Uttar Pradesh government not to demolish any temple if existing in and around old jail in Lucknow where dismantling work is being carried out for setting up an ecological park.
"If any temple is existing there, it should not be demolished till the next date of hearing," a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan said posting the matter for further hearing on September 18.
It asked the state government to find out whether any temple is existing in and around the vicinity of the jail as claimed by the petitioner.
The Bench was hearing an application mentioned by advocate Sangam Lal Pandey who alleged the authorities were demolishing the temples in the jail area.
Senior advocate S C Mishra, a close aide of Chief Minister Mayawati, denied there was any temple there and alleged the application was moved to create a roadblock to the project for which the old jail was being demolished.
Pandey had also filed the petition for staying the demolition of the jail alleging it was done to construct monuments.
{{/usCountry}}Pandey had also filed the petition for staying the demolition of the jail alleging it was done to construct monuments.
{{/usCountry}}However, the apex court had refused his plea after the state government assured the court that the old jail premises would be used only for the purpose of setting up an ecological park and not monuments.