Karnataka High Court to civic bodies: Clear encroachments on public spaces

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed its Registrar General to initiate a suo motu case relating to religious centres encroaching public places such as roads and parks in the state. The purpose is to clear such encroachments.

The court passed the direction while hearing a petition challenging the illegal construction of Saibaba temple within the public park near police quarters located on the Magadi Main Road in the city.

While hearing the case, the high court observed that the state government has failed in the implementation of the Supreme Court order that there shall be no fresh construction of places of worship at public places throughout the country. Hence the high court has directed to initiate suo motu case for effective implementation of SC order in clearing such encroachments.

The apex court had made it clear that the restriction would apply to temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras and places of worship of all other communities.
The SC had directed the government to ensure no place of worship is allowed to come up by encroaching public place.

The petitioners, S. Ravichandra and others, had alleged that a Saibaba temple was being built in Vitala Nayaka park located in Dr Rajkumar ward (ward number 106).

They further alleged that though the then Minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa had written to BBMP to take action, nothing has been done so far.