Places of worship built by encroaching on govt land should be demolished; High Court issues order

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday ordered that illegal places of worship built on government land should be demolished within 6 months. It was Justice PV Kunhikrishnan who issued the important order.

The Chief Secretary should give instructions to conduct investigations on illegal constructions on government lands and take action. Collectors should also take steps to investigate through Tehsildars and Village Officers to find out whether religious crosses, stones etc. have been installed on government lands. The action report must be submitted to the Registrar General within one year. Govt land cannot be encroached on in the name of faith. If all people of all religions start like this, it will lead to conflicts. Encroachment on government land cannot be justified just because everyone is entitled to freedom of religion under the Constitution. The court also stated that encroachment on government land is prohibited under the Land Conservation Act.

It was the Plantation Corporation of Kerala that approached the High Court seeking the removal of illegal places of worship in Chandanapally and Mottapara areas, which are part of the corporation. The plea stated that these illegal places of worship built for workers to offer prayers were causing law and order problems in the regions.