HC orders removal of unauthorized gurdwara & temple in Kharar

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has ordered the removal of an "illegally constructed" gurdwara and a temple from a residential colony in Kharar town of Mohali district in Punjab, "with the observance of all religious ceremonies."
While issuing these directions to the resident welfare association to remove these structures, which were constructed without any sanctioned plan, the HC set a deadline of six weeks to remove holy scriptures, books, and idols from the said structures after due observance of all religious ceremonies and to remove the unauthorised constructions.
The HC, however, made it clear that in case of failure to remove these structures within the given deadline, the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Kharar, shall initiate all possible steps for the removal of holy scriptures, books, and idols from the aforesaid structures after due observance of all religious ceremonies. Further, they will take steps, with the help of the police, to remove such unauthorised constructions.
Justice Harsh Bunger passed these orders while hearing a petition filed by Gurmej Singh and another. They sought directions to remove the illegal, unlawful, and unauthorised encroachment made by the managing committee of Gurdwara Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Trust and managing committee of Radha Madhav Mandir, respectively, with the connivance of GBP Crest Residents Welfare Society by way of raising the construction of Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara as well as Radha Madhav Mandir.
The petitioners submitted that unauthorised construction of a temple and a gurdwara was raised in the area, which falls in the green belt and other areas within the colony, which were not earmarked for the construction of any such religious structures.
The petitioners bought commercial sites in the colony, GBP Crest, at village Bhagomajra, Tehsil Kharar, Mohali. The project was developed by M/s Gupta Builders and Promoters Private Limited.
It was stated that in front of the commercial sites, there is a parking area and open space, and another area of 35 feet has been kept for the road for ingress and egress of the general public. It is further stated that there was also a green belt within the colony.
The petitioners' case is that, as per the brochure and sanctioned site plan of the aforesaid colony, no site was earmarked for the construction of a gurdwara or a mandir, but the same were constructed by encroaching on the green belt area. MSID:: 120852901 413 |