Have Intelligence agencies approved of wall: HC

Mumbai, Nov 21 (UNI) There is no doubt about the threat perception to the 'Siddhivinayak Temple' in the Metropolis but have the intelligence agencies certified that it had been narrowed down to zero after the construction of a wall, the Bombay high court asked today.

The court was reacting after admitting a petition, challenging construction of a wall opposite the temple, for final hearing.

A Division Bench comprising Justices J N Patel and Nishita Mhatre appraised the intelligence inputs, warning Mumbai police regarding threat to Siddhivinayak Temple, but left the issue behind after Advocate General Ravi Kadam objected by saying that the issue involved related to legality of wall constructed on the road and not adequacy of security to the Temple.

Some residents, around the locality of Siddhivinayak Temple, had moved the High court against the construction of a wall, which has eaten up a major portion of the main road passing opposite the temple and blocked access to many residents in the area. The temple trust had constructed the wall on a notice from Mumbai police, without permission from the planning body. But, after the matter reached High court the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation also accorded sanction to the illegal construction on the road.

Thereafter, the petitioners amended their petition and also challenged the procedure adopted for regularisation of the wall.

The petition will now be finally heard in second week of January 2008.

UNI