Prosecute those who built illegal shrines: HC

The court directed the government to initiate criminal action against people — especially religious or political leaders — who try to obstruct the demolition

While granting the state government three more months to demolish 1,334 illegal shrines constructed after September 2009, the Bombay high court on Friday directed the state to prosecute those who constructed the shrines.

The bench also directed the government to identify and classify all illegal shrines constructed on public properties across Maharashtra by March 31 (HT File Photo)

The bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Amjad Sayed also directed the government to initiate criminal action against people — especially religious or political leaders — who try to obstruct the demolition. “No religion encourages its followers to construct illegal shrines or offer prayers at illegally-constructed shrines and therefore we are sure that no religious leader will oppose the demolition of the shrines,” the judges said.

The bench also directed the government to identify and classify all illegal shrines constructed on public properties across Maharashtra by March 31, adding that thereafter the government will have to come out with a time schedule for demolishing the illegal shrines put up on public properties.

The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by city-based NGO, Janhit Manch, seeking a direction to the authorities to demolish illegal shrines across Maharashtra. Acting on the PIL, the court had directed the government to submit a time-bound schedule for the demolition of the shrines.

The state issued a Government Resolution (GR) on May 5, 2011, in accordance with the directives of the Apex Court, detailing a scheme to act against illegal religious structures. According to the GR, as of June 23, 2014, there were 17,613 illegal religious structures in Maharashtra, of which 258 were regularised, 370 were removed and 37 relocated.