Shivamogga: The Karnataka High Court has issued a directive that all religious structures in parks and public places must be cleared, that is why information pertaining to such buildings must be provided immediately, said Deputy Commissioner (DC) KB Shivakumar.
Speaking at the officer’s meeting held in the DC’s Office on Thursday, October 3, Shivakumar said, “The High Court has ordered the immediate eviction of such religious buildings that have been constructed since December 2009. Religious buildings that do not trouble the public are allowed to stay. Otherwise, the court has instructed us to remove idols and religious symbols from the building and demolish the structure.”
Shivakumar also made it clear that no religious buildings should be constructed in public spaces.
The district administration has identified a total of 248 unauthorised religious buildings found in public spaces across the district. Out of these, six buildings were found to be in public places, 19 in parks and 219 on roads. As many as 59 structures exist within the Shivamogga taluk, 11 in Bhadravathi, 14 in Thirthahalli, 30 in Sagar, 60 in Shikaripura, 44 in Soraba and 26 in Hosanagar.
Shivakumar informed that 20 buildings have been cleared and permissions for 224 structures are pending. A total of 91 cases have been formalized, one case is currently in court, and 129 buildings need to be cleared.
The DC asked the officers present in the meeting to review each of the cases and submit a detailed report as per the government order within two days.
He also said that the report must be in accordance with the proper format along with photographs of the buildings.
“If the buildings are legitimate, proper reasons should be provided in the report,” Shivakumar added.
District Police Superintendent Shantaraj, District Panchayat COO Vaishali, Additional Commissioner of Police Anuradha and others were present.
