Supreme Court Orders Demolition of Unauthorised Temple at Yamuna Floodplains

The Supreme Court has upheld the order to demolish the Pracheen Shiv Mandir near the Yamuna floodplains. Despite claims by the petitioner society of the temple's spiritual importance, the court emphasized the lack of historical significance and unauthorized construction, prioritizing public interest and clearing encroachments.

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court on Friday upheld an earlier order for the demolition of the Pracheen Shiv Mandir, located at Geeta Colony near the Yamuna floodplains. The ruling comes as a significant blow to advocates of the temple.

A vacation bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Augustine George Masih refused to overturn the Delhi High Court's prior decision. ''Where is the proof of the Pracheen Temple to begin with? Ancient temples were built with rocks and not with cement and painted,'' stated the bench, firmly standing by their decision.

The Delhi High Court had previously ruled on May 29 that Lord Shiva does not need anyone's protection, as it declined to make the deity a party to the petition. ''Lord Shiva would be happier if the Yamuna riverbed and floodplains were cleared of all encroachments and unauthorized construction,'' the high court noted, affirming the demolition order.