Supreme Court puts end to shrines on public places

The Supreme Court has ruled that it is illegal to construct places of worship on public places across the country.

Following a consensus among states guided by the Central government, the Supreme Court on Tuesday banned building of church, temples, mosques or other religious places on roadsides or in any public land.

"Pending hearing of the case, as an interim measure, we direct that no unauthorised construction of any religious institution, namely temple, church, mosque or gurudwara shall be permitted on public street or space henceforth," a Bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and M K Sharma was reported saying.

The verdict came after Solicitor General Gopal Subramanian said the Centre and states on September 17 agreed on not permitting places of worship on public land.

The consensus was formed among states after the apex court's July 31 observation that religious shrines on public places was improper.

Meanwhile, the directive by the Supreme Court has clarified that existing religious structures does not have be to immediately demolished or relocated. It has left it to the states to decide on the existing places of worship.

On the illegal constructions, "the state shall review on case to case basis and take appropriate action as expeditiously as possible," the court said.

The court was hearing to an appeal filed by the Centre against a May 2006 Gujarat High Court order that directed the municipal corporations in the state to demolish all illegal structures, including places of worship, on public roads.