Delhi HC Says 'Lord Shiva Would Be Happier If Yamuna Flood Plains Are Cleared,' Junks Plea Against DDA Demolition

While rejecting the petition, the high court said it goes without saying that Lord Shiva does not need our protection; rather, we, the people, seek his protection and blessings.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed against the demolition of Pracheen Shiv Mandir situated near city's Geeta Colony and located near Yamuna Flood Plains by Delhi Development Authority (DDA). While rejecting the petition, the high court said it goes without saying that Lord Shiva does not need our protection; rather, we, the people, seek his protection and blessings.

A bench of Justice Dharmesh Sharma observed that Pracheen Shiv Mandir Avam Akhada Samiti, which filed the plea failed to demonstrate any legal rights existing with it so as to continue to use and occupy the civic property for running the temple services.

"In view of the forgoing discussion, this Court unhesitatingly finds that the petitioner society has miserably failed to demonstrate any legal rights existing with it so as to continue to use and occupy the civic property for running the temple services."

The court further said that the half-hearted plea by the learned counsel for the petitioner that Lord Shiva, being the deity of the temple, must be also impleaded in the present matter is a desperate attempt to give an altogether different colour to the entire dispute to sub-serve the vested interest of its members.

"It goes without saying that Lord Shiva does not need our protection; rather, we, the people, seek his protection and blessings. There could be no iota of doubt that Lord Shiva would be happier if the Yamuna River bed and the flood plains areas are cleared of all encroachments and unauthorised construction," the court ruled.

The high court gave the temple society 15 days time to remove the idols and other religious objects in the temple and to place the same in some other temple.

"If they fail to do so, the respondent DDA is directed to ensure that the idols are placed in some other temple, or as may be directed by the Religious Committee if they are approached for any suggestions," the high court said while passing the order.

The high court further said that the DDA shall be at liberty to carry out demolition of the unauthorised construction, and the petitioner society and its members shall not cause any impediment or obstacles in such a demolition process.