The Delhi High Court dismissed a petition on Wednesday seeking a stay on the demolition order for a temple constructed on the Yamuna river bed, asserting that “Lord Shiva does not need anyone’s protection.”
The court deemed the temple’s construction as unauthorised, situated in Geeta Colony near the flood plains. It emphasized that the Yamuna river bed and flood plains must be cleared of encroachments and unauthorised structures.
Justice Dharmesh Sharma stressed that the temple’s existence conflicted with larger public interest, as outlined in the Zonal Development Plan and Master Plan Delhi, 2021, aimed at rejuvenating the Yamuna and ensuring ecological balance.
Despite claims of spiritual significance, the court found no evidence of historical importance, stating that routine prayers and festive events did not elevate the temple’s status to that of public significance.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was directed to relocate the temple’s idols to another shrine within 15 days if the petitioner society failed to do so. The court mandated full cooperation from local authorities to facilitate the demolition process and maintain law and order.
The High Court sanctioned the demolition of the unauthorised structure, underscoring the need to uphold legal regulations and public interest.
The petitioner society and its members were warned against obstructing the demolition process, with law enforcement instructed to provide necessary assistance to the DDA.
