HC asks AMC to find way to save temple

The petitioner temple trust has been identified as Dasmani Swatantra Niranjani Akhada Trust. The trust handles the affairs of Kashmiri Mahadev Mandir near Dudheshwar.

According to the lawyer of the petitioner trust,B R Pandya,the AMC has passed a resolution to acquire entire land of the temple to develop an approach road on the side of an under-construction overbridge.

“We made a number of representations before the authorities not to acquire the land of the temple since it is more than 150 years old and religious feelings of the people are linked with it. However,not considering our representations,the AMC went ahead and has already acquired around 10,000 square yard land of the temple,” Pandya said.

“Following this,we moved the HC with a prayer to direct the authorities not to acquire the temple land and to declare the temple as an ancient monument,” Pandya added.

The petitioner trust has made the AMC and the Union of India as the respondent parties.

On Wednesday,the Division Bench of Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhaya and Justice A S Dave heard the matter.

“The Chief Justice told the counsel for the AMC to think for some alternative way so that the land on which the temple is situated does not need to be acquired. The court also stated that acquiring the temple land might create a law and order problem. And if they do not do so,the court has stated that it will pass an order on merits,” Pandya said.

Further hearing has been kept for February 9.