Place of worship: SC for status quo in respect of HC order

New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the parties to maintain status quo in respect of a dispute in which the Madras High Court had granted permission for construction of a place of worship within the premises of another place of worship situated on the outskirts of Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam also issued notices to Muslim Cultural Association on a petition filed by Federation of Chennai Suburban Welfare Association.

Senior counsel Soli Sorabjee apperaing for the petitioner contended before the court that construction of a place of worship within the premises of the other place of worship may create problem and lead to communal tension in the area.

The counsel pleaded with the court that the government may be directed to allot an alternative site to the Muslim Cultural Association for construction of the place of worship.

Chennai District Collector had earlier refused permission for construction of the place of worship on the land.

On the petition filed by Muslim Cultural Association Madras, High Court quashed the order of the collector holding that permission for construction of the place of worship had been granted prior to the construction of the other place of worship.

Land for the place of worship was allotted way back in 1986.

UNI SC SY RP UCS1905