Illegally built structures can't be right place to preach religion: SC

THE TOP COURT WAS HEARING A CASE RELATED TO A MOSQUE BUILT ILLEGALLY ON A PUBLIC LAND IN TAMIL NADU'S CHENNAI

- Utkarsh Anand

Unauthorised religious structures on public land can never be a venue for preaching religion, the Supreme Court remarked on Monday, reminding authorities across India of their obligation to promptly remove such encroachments.

Ordering the removal of a mosque that was illegally constructed on public land in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, a bench of justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan recalled a spree of top court orders in the past, fastening a duty on states and high courts to make sure no unauthorised constructions are allowed in the name of temple, church, mosque or gurdwara, on public streets or other public places.

"We have ordered demolition of all unauthorised religious structures...be it a temple or a mosque. There was a judgement by this court and all high courts have been monitoring it. State governments have also been issued appropriate directions," said the bench.