The Delhi High Court today expressed anguished over illegal constructions in the national capital and suggested to the local authorities to consider airlifting of the 108-foot Hanuman statue in central Delhi to remove the encroachments around it.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar observed that entire skyscrapers have been relocated completely in the United States.
"Consider if the statue can be airlifted. Speak to the LG. You know, in the US, entire skyscrapers are shifted as a whole," the bench said.
The court also asked the civic bodies to consult the Lieutenant Governor over the matter.
It added that if the civic bodies could "at even one place show that the law was being enforced, the mindset of the people of Delhi would change".
“Enough opportunities have been given to the municipal corporations to enforce the law but no one wants to do it," it said.
The HC made these observations while hearing a PIL by an NGO seeking removal of unauthorised constructions and encroachments in the Karol Bagh area in the city.
The matter came up before the bench today as the local authorities were seeking a modification with regard to the police station which would be responsible for implementing the court's November 15 direction to remove encroachments from the area.
After modifying the order, the court listed the matter for hearing on November 24.
Meanwhile, the locals have reacted sharply to the HC’s observations, saying shifting Lord Hanuman’s statue will be an act of sin.
“Whatever the HC has said, is completely wrong. It is against the sentiment of Hindus,” a local said.
“This should never ever be shifted from here… people visit here to fulfil their wish,” another person said.
Muslim leaders also opposed the High Court’s order saying the matter is related to the community’s faith.
“The local authorities should have taken care of all things while giving clearance. Now the temple is constructed, it is directly related to someone’s faith.
The court should reconsider because hurting someone’s sentiment is not right,” Maulana Umer Ilyasi, national president, All India Imam Council, said.
