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The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government has informed the Delhi High Court that it has a plan in place to remove an “illegally constructed temple” presumably built during the Covid-19 pandemic in Delhi’s Defence Colony area, in respect of which a resident of the area has approached the court.

A bench of Justice Rekha Palli issued notice in the petition seeking removal of the “illegal encroachment," and impleaded the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South as a respondent in the matter. The court called for a status report by Oct 8.

The government, accepting advance notice on the matter submitted that, it was "conscious of its duty" and had "already planned to demolish the illegal encroachment at the said site on Oct 4", however, "it would be necessary to have requisite police assistance to carry out the said demolition."

The Delhi Police had thereafter assured the court through DCP, South that it would provide full assistance to the Delhi government in its "demolition drive" to be carried out on Oct 4.

The submissions were made in a plea by one Shri. Viraht Sahni, filed seeking removal of an allegedly illegal encroachment before the building which the petition said was built taking advantage of the Covid-19 situation during the pandemic.

It was stated that during the pandemic someone had trespassed on the public land and constructed a temple there, at Bhishma Pitamah Marg, right in front of the petitioners' property and that taking advantage of this illegal construction people gather there to engage in gambling, drinking, and consuming other illegal substances. 

The plea stated that therefore the illegal construction and the gatherings together impede full access to the petitioners' new building plan, according to which it was intended that the old building would be fully demolished and a new one constructed with entrance from the Bhishma Pitamah Marg.

The plea therefore prayed for demolition of the permanent structure/mandir in order to "free the pavement/footpath for the use that it is meant for" and for police assistance for carrying out the said task.

Cause Title: Sh. Viraht Sahni & Another vs Government of NCT of Delhi & Another