SC stays demolition drive in Gujarat

New Delhi, May 4 (UNI) The Supreme Court today stayed the Gujarat High Court order which directed the state government to demolish all religious structures obstructing the flow of traffic in the state, including Vadodara.

A bench headed by Justice Ruma Pal while issuing notices to the state of Gujarat and Director General of Police (DGP) of Gujarat directed that the impugned order of the high court, ordering removal of all religious places built on encroached land in Vadodara and other cities shall remain stayed till further orders.

The state high court had taken suo motu notice of press reports saying that Nyaya Ka Mandir, district courts in Vadodara were attacked and some vehicles belonging to lawyers were torched by a mob belonging to minority community after an old mazar situated on the road was removed by the Municipal Corporation of Vadodra.

Riots had broken out in the city after the demolition of the mazar and curfew had to be imposed in the city after four persons were killed and several injured in the police firing to control the mob protesting against the demolition.

Finally, army had to be called in yesterday when the situation went out of control and state chief minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the riot-hit areas declared that demolition drive against religious places on encroached land would continue, adding fuel to the fire.

Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium appearing for the Centre pleaded before the apex court that if the demolition drive in Vadodara was not stayed then the situation may become uncontrolable having its repercussions in other states also.

MORE UNI AKS/SC MSJ VC1810