Shift idol, then raze temple: HC

Religious sentiments have to be taken care of but the law  too has to be enforced, said the Bombay high court while directing the shifting of an idol before razing an illegal temple in Kandivli. The temple has blocked access to a school.

The court directed the demolition of the temple outside Raghuvir Madhyamik Vidyalay after the goddess’ idol is relocated.

“The additional municipal commissioner should remove the idol to a place he deems proper and then demolish the platform/ structure completely to enable the school to get access,” said the judges.

A petition was filed by the school at Samta Nagar, Kandivli, stating that an unauthorised temple was built outside its gate, blocking access to the school. Due to this, students and teachers were having trouble entering the school.

As per the high court direction, Mumbai’s municipality had razed the temple. However, the idol and platform on which the idol was placed were untouched. A shed was built around the temple and the school approached the high court again.

Komal Punjabi, an advocate for the civic body, told the court that they left the idol untouched as they did not get necessary police protection. Also, the civic body claimed that the temple was built on collector’s land and he should take necessary action.
Rapping the corporation for such an attitude, justice

Dharmadhikari said: “Such inaction by the corporation will further encourage unauthorised construction. Even private properties would be affected.”