New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday
granted eight weeks' time to states and union territories to
formulate appropriate policy guidelines on removal, relocation
and demolition of unauthorised places of worship at public
places in the country.
The apex court passed the direction after expressing
dissatisfaction over the reports and affidavits filed by all
states/UTs, barring Uttarkhand, wherein they assured steps are
being taken to remove/relocate the unauthorised constructions
in pursuant of the bench's earlier direction.
"We do not find comprehensive and satisfactory the
reports submitted," the bench said while granting further time
to states on the issue.
Barring Sikkim, all states admitted to facing the
problem of unauthorised places of worship like temples,
mosques, churches and gurudwaras, prompting the apex court to
comment "perhaps it (Sikkim) is the most civilised state!"
A bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari also granted six
weeks to states/UTs to identify such places of worship
unauthorisedly constructed and file fresh affidavits before it
for its perusual.
The apex court also pulled up the Uttarkhand counsel
for failing to file any status report on the issue till date
even though it had passed the direction in December 2009.
While directing the state to file its report within two
weeks, the bench said the Chief Secretary shall appear in
person if the state failed to comply with the directive.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 20:43