Delhi HC Seeks Govt’s Stance on PIL for Removal of Unauthorized Religious Structures

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the stance of the Centre and Delhi government regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) that seeks the removal of unauthorized religious structures from public spaces.

A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Saurabh Banerjee has issued notices to both government bodies, as well as the Delhi Police, PWD, and MCD.

Santosh Kumar Tripathi, the standing counsel for the Delhi government, explained that the matter raised by the petitioners falls under the purview of the ‘religious committee’. The panel deals with the presence of religious structures on public land, working alongside the land-owning agency. He suggested that the petitioners could approach the committee to voice their concerns.

The petitioners – Preet Singh, Sunil Antil, Neeraj Chauhan, Rajesh, and Ashok Kumar Mittal have contended in their plea that numerous “illegal mosques, mazaar, and dargah have been erected on public land, public parks, and prominent public places without authorization or legality.” Such actions contravene the directives of the Supreme Court. They argue that these constructions infringe upon the public’s rights as guaranteed by articles 14, 19, 21, and 25 of the Constitution.

The petition stated, “This Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue an appropriate writ…directing the Respondents to ensure that no religious or any type of constructions in the shape of Mosque, Mazaar, Dargah, Graves or any other religious constructions whatsoever name it may be called, are constructed at public land, parks, playgrounds, roads, highways or any other place of public utility.”

The petition, represented by advocate Parth Yadav, highlights that such unlawful structures contribute to road accidents and could potentially ignite communal discord.

“The situation is so alarming that such illegal activities might give rise to communal disharmony and is affecting public as well as law and order, but the Respondents are negligent in performing their constitutional responsibilities and duties,” the plea further added.

The next hearing for this matter is scheduled for November.