Unauthorised Occupants Can’t Claim Vested Rights to Reside in Kalkaji Temple: Delhi HC

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Paridhi Arya

Published on June 14, 2022 at 17:34 IST

The Vacation Bench of Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Vikram Nath while hearing a SLP ordered the Kalkaji Temple will be redeveloped but without dispossessing of the pujaris.

The Bench held that, “Issue notice to the respondents and tag this SLP along with SLP NO 32452/32453 of 2013 and other similar matters. In the meanwhile there shall be no impediment for carrying out the redevelopment with regards to the orders passed by the High Court but such redevelopment shall be without dispossessing the petitioner from the premises where they are said to be residing.”

The SLP was filed against the order of High Court which stated that pujaris and occupants of Dharamshala need to vacate the place till June 6 and in case of non compliance SHO will take the decision in the same direction.

The Petitioner submitted in the Supreme Court that 800 people are involved in the temple who will be jobless due to the order and they are living there since generation. The Counsel brought into the notice of Supreme Court that there are many SLPs pending which opposed the vacation of land and appointment of administrator.

The High Court denied vested rights of Pujaris and observed that they came to offer services to deity and so private right cannot be claimed.

The High Court directed Administrator to submit report after interacting with pujaris and occupants of Dharamshala. Although on March, Apex Court denied to interfere but allowed that petitioner’s grievances will be addressed by the Administrator appointed by the High Court.

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