Taking a tough stand over encroachment by shopkeepers, the Delhi High Court today directed MCD to remove all illegal constructions around Kalkaji Temple in the city.
The court also directed the civic agency to ensure cleanliness in the temple complex especially during the ongoing Dusshera festival.
Police was also directed by the court to provide all assistance to MCD for compliance of the court's direction.
While hearing a PIL raising the issues of unhygienic condition in the temple premises and also security-related issues, a bench of Chief Justice R V Ramana and Justice Manmohan said, "Temple complex must be clean. Shopkeepers must ensure the way to temple is clear and clean."
"You challan every one. If needed a stringent action has to be taken against the encroacher," the court observed and directed the agency to "remove all unauthorised constructions by the next date of hearing."
The bench also directed the MCD's sanitary department officials to visit the temple complex and ensure cleanliness.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by one Piyush Joshi, an advocate, raising issues of public safety and seeking directions to Delhi Police for providing adequate security at the temple.
The petitioner's counsel submitted that due to absence of any regulation, the management is allegedly involved in various irregularities.
To this submission, the court asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Rajeeve Mehra to seek instruction from the Centre and inform it about the issue of temple management under the Endowments Act.
"Where is the government? From distribution of prasad to cleanliness of the temple has to be done by the court.There is no legislation," the court said.
