Source - Bar and Bench
The Supreme Court allowed the Uttarakhand Government time till May 2021 to remove 4 illegal religious structures in Haridwar (State of Uttarakhand v. In Re Ilegal Religious Structure). The plea arose from a Uttarakhand High Court rejecting the State's petition seeking an extension to demolish of certain illegal structures in the State of Uttarakhand.
Structure was in the Udham Singh Nagar district, the remaining four were at Haridwar built by Akharas connected to the Maha Kumbh. It were Constructed in 2010, structures are expected to be used during the Maha Kumbh held at Haridwar, which happens once every 12 years.
In their petition, the State said that any attempt to demolish the structures at this stage would effect religious tensions in the State, especially because there is upcoming kumbh between January and April 2021. Therefore time until May to demolish these structures was given as Maha Kumbh will end by April 15, 2021.
“The State undertakes to commence the proceedings for demolition of the 4 illegal religious structures in Haridwar in the month of May 2021 and will remove them by 31.05.2021”, read the State’s plea.
Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, representing the State of Uttarakhand, requested for an extension of the proposed demolition after the Maha Kumbh. An intervention application filed by the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad was, not entertained.