CBI to probe land grab by Hanuman temple

New Delhi: Central Bureau of Investigation has initiated a preliminary inquiry into a case of alleged land encroachment in West Delhi by a temple and two-wheeler dealership. The case pertains to encroachment in the Karol Bagh area and the CBI, during the course of its initial investigations, will try to asses if there has been any connivance with officials of Government civic agencies to permit construction of the alleged illegal structures.

CBI investigations into the case have been initiated following a directive from the Delhi high court which had asked CBI to investigate as to how a 108-feet high statue of Hanuman, which has become a sort of landmark in the capital, along with a temple and the vehicle dealership come up on the public land.

The structures are on a busy road close to the commercial hub of Karol Bagh.

The court has asked CBI to probe if officials of civic agencies abused their position in allowing the construction of the two contentious structures.

The case had come up before the bench of acting Chief Justice and Justice C. Hari Shankar who during the course of the hearing had observed that such incidents should be prevented by the concerned authorities. The CBI, after lodging the preliminary inquiry, gathered all the relevant records from Delhi Police and is in the process of doing the same from other civic agencies.