Madhya Pradesh High Court Seeks State's Stand In Plea To Remove "Unauthorized Religious Shrines" In Police Stations, Orders Status Quo

The Jabalpur bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday (November 4) sought the stand of the state government in a plea seeking removal of allegedly unauthorized religious shrines constructed within police station premises across the state. The high court further directed the parties to maintain status quo till the next date of hearing. A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain in its order issued notice to the state government. During the hearing Additional Advocate General HS Ruprah appearing on behalf of the respondent authorities accepted notice and sought time to take necessary instructions.It thereafter said, "Till the next date of hearing, both the parties shall maintain status quo". The matter is next listed on November 19. The plea was filed by a retired central government employee, now an advocate and demanded for the removal of allegedly unauthorized religious shrines constructed within police station premises across the state. In the plea, the petitioner claimed that the construction of religious shrines in police station premises was violating the Supreme Court and High Court orders. The plea states that courts had forbidden unapproved religious structures on public land on government-owned premises like police stations. The petition states that these constructions amount to neglect for judicial orders and police officials in Jabalpur and other areas have allowed the construction of shrines is against the court's instructions on religious neutrality and public land use.The petitioner claims that these actions not only violate civil service rules but also infringe on the fundamental principles of secularism and equal treatment under the law as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.The plea refers to the Supreme Court's decision in Dipak Kumar Mukherjee v. Kolkata Municipal Corporation, stating that the apex court said that there is a detrimental impact of unauthorized constructions on public trust and emphasized that unlawful encroachments undermine citizens' rights to fair and equitable urban development. The petitioner argues that the unauthorized shrines compromise the secular nature of government premises and lead to public mistrust in law enforcement.The petitioner claims that despite repeated complaints, district and police officials did not respond, and that a legal notice was also sent on October 14. The petitioner has requested demolition of all illegally constructed shrines on police station grounds throughout Madhya Pradesh.Further, plea seeks for disciplinary action against officials responsible for allowing these constructions as per the Madhya Pradesh Civil Service Rules. It also seeks interim relief for the removal of unauthorized shrines to uphold the integrity of public property and law enforcement facilities. Case title: Om Prakash Yadav Vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh And OthersCase no: WP No. 32891 of 2024Click Here To Read/Download Order

Madhya Pradesh High Court Seeks State's Stand In Plea To Remove "Unauthorized Religious Shrines" In Police Stations, Orders Status Quo

Siddhi Nigam

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