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Will demolish temple after lockdown: BMC tells Bombay HC

The civic body was replying to the Bombay HC on public interest litigation (PIL) which said that despite lockdown in place there are “irresponsible gatherings” on the premises of temple in Wadala (East) including the play of cards and carrom.

Will demolish temple after lockdown: BMC tells Bombay HC
SHARES


Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has informed the Bombay High Court that it will demolish an unauthorised temple at Wadala East as soon as the lockdown is lifted. 

The civic body was replying to the Bombay HC on public interest litigation (PIL) which said that despite lockdown in place there are “irresponsible gatherings” on its premises including the play of cards and carrom. The HC had earlier ordered the BMC to visit the site and file a report regarding the same. 

According to a report, the PIL was filed by Dharavi resident Sanjay Avasare who is also a BMC contract employee at Sion Hospital. The petition said that the BMC had demolished the Saidham Mitra Mandal Temple at Ganesh Mandir Marg after high court’s order in October 2017. 

However, the temple was reconstructed. As this happened, the HC ordered to demolish the temple again in 2018 but it was not done. The court was informed that there have been some COVID-19 positive cases in the area.

The BMC via its advocate submitted its reply to a division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice SS Shinde through video conferencing. In its reply, the civic body said that demolition couldn’t be done due to want of police protection and once the lockdown is lifted appropriate action will be taken. 

Although Avasare’s advocate informed that the BMC could demolish the structure right away or seal it, but the court said that the civic body has assured that no one accesses the temple. 

The Bombay HC directed the civic body and the police administration shall ensure that no one has any access to the reconstructed temple and also that it is not used for any religious purpose. After the lockdown is lifted, the petition will be listed before the appropriate bench. 

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