Illegal religious structures to be razed by December 31

The state government has ordered all the municipal commissioners of the state to raze all the identified illegal religious structures, constructed after September 29, 2009, by December 31 this year. The government also warned the commissioners that on failure to comply with this order, they might have to face contempt action of the Bombay high court. Deputy secretary of urban development, Jaysinghrao Patil, has issued this Government Resolution (GR) on November 5.

The GR further stated that all the municipal corporations would have to make sure that no one constructs illegal religious structures in their area. Not only will the structure be razed without any notice, action will also be taken against the constructor.

Also specifically mentioned in the GR is that the corporations, as per the court order, will have to introduce grievances redressal mechanism wherein anyone can register a complaint against unauthorised religious structure.

The GR was issued after the high court on October 1 directed the state government to demolish by December 31 all the illegal religious structures build after Sept. 29, 2009.

The municipal commissioners and the collectors, as the case may be, shall be responsible for the implementation of these directions as provided in the second GR. Any breach on their part will result in action against them under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

The home department shall issue a circular to the municipal commissioners and collectors in this regard.