HC orders removal of statues of Buddha, Ambedkar from evicted Chembur bungalow

Court had directed the deputy collector to ensure that the statues were removed.

Court had directed the deputy collector to ensure that the statues were removed. However, the official informed the court that the statues were in the compound and not inside the house. On Wednesday, the court said statues must be removed within two weeks.

Observing that illegal shrines should be removed and people cannot be permitted to take law and order into their hands, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the deputy collector to remove statues of Gautam Buddha and Dr B R Ambedkar from a bungalow in Chembur.

The bungalow was given on lease but the leaseholder carried out many breaches of the contract. An eviction notice was issued under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act by the competent authority. The bungalow was then evicted and its possession was handed over to the deputy collector.

The HC had earlier directed the deputy collector to ensure that the statues were removed from the premises, adding that they maybe installed at any other place, if necessary. However, the deputy collector informed the HC that the statues were in the compound and not inside the house.

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Stating that the statues should be removed within two weeks, Justices V M Kanade and A R Joshi, said, “If statues are not removed within two weeks, action will be taken against the deputy collector (also the competent authority) for non-compliance. The statues should be removed with police assistance.”

The Court observed that its order was passed in respect to the compound as well. “The competent authority is duty bound to remove the statue in the compound. The statement that it can’t be removed is not acceptable. We direct the deputy collector to ensure that the statues are removed and kept in a safe place,” the HC said.

When asked where they should be kept, the court said the competent authority could keep it “in the police station or government office” wherever space is available.

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com

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