Allahabad High Court Orders Status Quo On Dayalbagh Radhasoami Satsang Sabha Land Dispute

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday stayed the demolition drive being carried out by Agra's local authority on a land claimed by Radhasoami Satsang Sabha, a religious and charitable society headquartered in Dayalbagh. Justice Manish Kumar Nigam directed both the parties to maintain status quo till the next date of listing.The Society approached the High Court stating it received two notices from the Tehsildar of Sadar area, dated 14th September and 15th September 2023, requiring it to show cause as to why its construction over the disputed land be not removed. It is alleged that while the said authority had not jurisdiction over the disputed land, however, the very next day, the Authorities began demolishing the gate and boundary walls erected by the society, even prior to passing of demolition orders.Petitioner contended that notices had not been served upon it for demolition on certain khasras. Further, two properties (khasras) over which demolition has been carried out are protected by interim orders passed by the Allahabad High Court in separate proceedings, it was submitted. The plea further avers that on the next day, the police lathi charged the karsevaks who had gathered on the fields of Radhasoami Satsang Sabha, without any warning or notice. It is claimed that women and children were a part of the group that was beaten by the police. A preliminary objection was raised by the State as to the maintainability of the writ petition as against the order of demolition, stating that petitioner has the remedy of statutory appeal. Further, the State alleged that after the demolition, the petitioner had proceeded to reconstruct the gate which was demolished.However, Petitioner's counsel strongly opposed the objection, and brought on record the demolition order allegedly passed without conducting any proceedings pursuant to the notices issued to the society.Advocate Ujjwal Satsangi appeared for the petitioner. Additional Advocate General Neeraj Tripathi assisted by J.N. Maurya appeared for the respondents.

Allahabad High Court Orders Status Quo On Dayalbagh Radhasoami Satsang Sabha Land Dispute

Upasna Agrawal

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