SP accuses UP Govt of flouting SC order

Samajwadi Party accused the Uttar Pradesh government of violating Supreme Court order by razing temples in the Lucknow Jail compound.

Samajwadi Party on Monday accused the Uttar Pradesh government of violating Supreme Court order by razing temples in the Lucknow Jail compound.

HT Image

Party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary alleged the state government flouted the orders of the apex court, which had on September 4 directed the state government not to demolish any temple, if existing, in and around the old jail in Lucknow.

He alleged it was done to create space for for setting up an ecological park, which was Chief Minister Mayawati's pet project.

"The state government submitted a false affidavit before the apex court that there were no temples in the jail compound when the reality is that there were four historical temples," Chaudhary said.

Charging the government with lacking concern for ecology, Chaudhary said numerous trees have been felled and massive stone structures installed in Lucknow and the forest department has remained a mute spectator.