Radhasoami Satsang Demolition: Allahabad HC Seeks State Govt Response on Contempt Plea

The Allahabad High Court sought a response from the state government in response to a contempt petition filed by the Radhasoami Satsang Sabha.

The petition alleges that district authorities violated the court’s previous orders to maintain the status quo on a piece of land in Agra. The petition further claims that there was an attempt to demolish the Radhasoami Satsang Bhawan at Dayalbagh in Agra.

On October 10, the high court demanded the original record of land ownership related to the Bhawan’s demolition and directed the authorities to maintain the status quo on the site until October 16.

A bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal directed the state government’s counsel to provide a response to the contempt plea and set December 8 as the next hearing date in the case.

The contempt petition urges the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the Agra district magistrate and other relevant authorities, alleging that they have violated the high court’s previous orders to maintain the status quo regarding the property of Radhasoami Satsang Sabha. The order, however, does not specify the date on which the “fresh demolition drive” was initiated.

Earlier this month, the Satsang Sabha filed a petition in the high court challenging the demolition proceedings against its property. The state counsel opposed the petition, arguing that the construction had encroached upon public land. On September 24, a clash resulted in several injuries when a revenue department team attempted to demolish the disputed building in Agra.