The Allahabad High Court ruled that the Places of Worship Act, 1991, does not prevent the State from acquiring religious properties for secular public purposes. Dismissing a plea against Varanasi’s Dalmandi redevelopment, the Court upheld the government’s authority to undertake lawful public infrastructure projects.
A Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae blamed the MCD for the Saidulajab building collapse that killed six people and injured fourteen. The report stated that authorities were aware of unauthorised construction for years but failed to take effective action, making the tragedy a result of prolonged regulatory neglect.
The Delhi High Court directed residents of three slum clusters near the Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi’s Race Course area to vacate within 15 days and shift to government-provided accommodation, warning authorities could initiate legal action if occupants failed to comply within the prescribed timeframe.
The Supreme Court set aside the Calcutta High Court’s demolition order and allowed a housing project near Visva-Bharati University, holding that “khoai” is not a recognised land category under West Bengal law. The Court ruled that in the absence of fraud or major illegality, demolition is a harsh measure and imposed a Rs 1 lakh cost on PIL petitioners.
