HC directs demolition of 63 illegal shrines in city

Mumbai, Aug 3 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to demolish 63 illegal shrines across the city by August 23.

A division bench comprising justices R M Lodha and N H Patil passed the order on a petition by Bhagwanji Rayani, who heads a non-governmental organisation. The petitioner had contended that illegal shrines were mushrooming in the city.

Mr Rayani had filed a Public Interest Litigation in 2002 and the court had then passed an order to demolish them. As many as 1,100 of these shrines had been demolished since the order. Since June 22 and August 1 this year, as many as 113 shrines were demolished while a stay has been granted in case of 21 shrines.

However, Mr Rayani approached the court afresh in June this year alleging that the drive had slowed down and many illegal shrines had started springing up again.

The court also directed the police commissioner to provide adequate police force while executing the demolitions.

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