Today, On 20th March, The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a plea challenging the DDA’s demolition of temples in Mayur Vihar, Delhi. Petitioners argued that the demolition violated constitutional rights under Articles 14 and 25 and was done without a proper hearing. They accused the DDA of acting arbitrarily, disregarding previous court judgments. The court, however, declined to intervene, reinforcing the need for legal compliance in land use.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court declined to hear a petition from three temple committees the Purbo Delhi Kali Bari Samiti, Sri Amarnath Mandir Sanstha, and Sri Badri Nath Mandir located in Mayur Vihar Phase 2, which challenged a demolition notice issued by the DDA on March 19.
Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sanjay Mehta dismissed the petition and allowed the petitioners the option to approach the Delhi High Court instead.
Initially, the bench had agreed to consider the case but later dismissed it, directing the petitioners to seek relief from the Delhi HC.
The petition, filed by advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, stated that officials posted a public notice at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, indicating that the temples would be demolished at 4 a.m. on March 20, 2025.
It argued that the temples had not been given a hearing by any DDA authority or religious committee.
The temples, which are 35 years old, had received permission from the DDA to conduct Durga Pooja on the grounds in front of the Kali Bari Samiti temple.
Also Read: Majnu Ka Tila Demolition: Minister Condemns DDA;AAP Alleges Targeting Refugee Homes
The petition claimed,
“The DDA has, on its own whims and fancies, decided to demolish the temple in complete violation of the judgment passed by this Court as well as in violation of the provisions contained in Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution of India. No opportunity for a hearing was afforded to the petitioners by any authority of the DDA or any religious committee.”
The temples sought to quash the DDA’s demolition notices.
The dispute arises from an ongoing encroachment removal drive by the DDA in Mayur Vihar Phase 1, targeting several unauthorized structures, including temples, for demolition.
The DDA, which is responsible for urban planning and land management in Delhi, asserted that these temples were constructed on public land without the necessary approvals.
In response, the temple management committees approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the temples had been established for decades and were significant religious sites for local worshippers.
They claimed that demolishing these structures would not only harm religious sentiments but also infringe upon their fundamental right to practice their religion as protected under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution.