HC notice to state over demolition warning to five religious structures

On Friday, violence broke out after a notice by the JuMC to Hazrat Gebanshah Pir Dargah near Majevadi Gate

demolition warning to five religious structures, Gujarat religiou structures, Gujarat HC, evacuation process Junagadh Municipal Corporation, indian express, indian express news

More than 30 arrests have been made since Friday over the ruckus that ensued. (express photo)

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The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday issued notices to civic and state authorities in response to three petitions, challenging the demolition notices by Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JuMC) to five Islamic structures.

On Friday, violence broke out after a notice by the JuMC to Hazrat Gebanshah Pir Dargah near Majevadi Gate. One person died while at least four police personnel were injured in the clashes. More than 30 arrests have been made since Friday over the ruckus that ensued.

Meanwhile, two petitions moved by the Samasth Sunni Muslim Trust and another petition by the trust along with Sardumsha and Reshamsha Pir Dargah Trust – challenged the civic body’s demolition notices to Hazrat Gebanshah Pir Dargah (Danapith), Hazrat Jamiyalsadatar Dargah, Hazrat Roshansha Pir Bawa Dargah, Hazrat Khinjisha Pir and Hazrat Gebansha Pir Dargah (Majewadi Gate). The petitions sought that the JuMC notices be quashed and set aside.

The notices issued by the court of Justice VD Nanavati on Tuesday have been kept returnable for June 27, by when the authorities are expected to respond to the contentions raised in the petitions.
The petitioners have contended the religious structures in question, which are over 100 years old, are Waqf properties, and the due procedure has been subverted by the Junagadh authorities.

The advocate for the petitioners on Tuesday submitted that the five days’ time given in the JuMC notices to show that the structures are legal and not encroachments on public roads was “unreasonable”.

Adding that a “riotous situation had taken place (on June 16), (and a) complaint and FIR were filed, because people protested”, the advocate for the petitioners also pointed out that in an earlier case where similar such demolition notices were issued by JuMC, despite a pending petition challenging the notices before the Gujarat HC and an oral instruction by the court to maintain status quo, the authorities went ahead with demolition.