Allahabad High Court Cracks Down on Illegal Temple in Public Park

Religious Freedom Doesn't Mean Right To Convert Others

The Allahabad High Court has directed the District Magistrate and Station House Officer of Moradabad to address the unauthorized construction of a temple in a public park at Buddh Vihar, Majhola. This order follows a public interest litigation concerning illicit activities in the park managed by the Awas Vikas Parishad.

During a session led by Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Vikas Budhwar, the court addressed allegations from petitioner Neeraj Kumar Tyagi. Tyagi reported that construction continued despite requests from the Awas Vikas Parishad’s executive engineer to halt it.

Appeals for intervention to both the SHO and DM had also gone unanswered. Tyagi’s legal counsel, Rajvendra Singh, cited a government order from October 29, 2009, banning religious structures on public property. The court was urged to enforce this law.

The court has also been asked to allow Tyagi to add those responsible for the construction as respondents to the PIL to ensure accountability. The next hearing is scheduled for July 8, aiming for a resolution that upholds the rule of law and preserves the intended use of public spaces.