Remove religious structures built on roads in UP: Allahabad HC

Lucknow: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to remove or shift all 'religious structures' built on public roads and sideways.

The court on Friday asked the government to ensure that no religious structure was allowed on public roads including highways, pathways, lanes and streets. Also, the court has warned that any violation will be considered as ‘criminal offence’ by the administration and police.

The bench of Justices Rakesh Shrivastava and Sudhir Agarwal said the religious structures installed after January 2011 would be removed with immediate effect.

Highlights:

• The court has asked for a report to be submitted by the concerned district magistrates (DMs) to UP government.
• The directions were given after a petition was filed by 19 locals against alleged encroachment of public pathway land in Dauda Khera locality of the state capital.
• The court has directed the state government through Chief Secretary to issue a general direction in this regard to all DMs and Senior Superintendents of Police (SPs), including the officers responsible for maintenance of roads in the state.