Panel to decide on demolition of religious establishments: SC

New Delhi: Hearing several petitions related to the demolition of religious establishments in Odisha, the Supreme Court today asked the committee constituted by State government to take a call on which structures have to be demolished.

The apex court also directed the committee to provide complete data on such establishments within three months.

“As per the order of the High Court passed on  January 6^th, 2011, the establishments whose names are not included in 87 RoRs will be demolished. As per the order, 207 temples in Cuttack and thousands of temples across Odisha were listed for demolition. However, the Supreme Court today directed that those figured in the list prepared by the government will file petition before the committee and the committee will hear each case separately before taking a call," advocate Prasana Nanda said.

The Orissa High Court had earlier directed the State government to evict religious structures which are built on government land and are creating traffic congestion. As per the order, the Cuttack district administration had pull down more than 10 temples in the city and served notice to others.

Later, several spiritual outfits moved the Supreme Court following which the court stayed the demolition process and served notices to all parties.