M A I N   N E W S

Don’t let shrines, statues spring up on roads: SC to states
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, January 18
The Supreme Court today directed all the states not to let any shrine or statue come up on roads infringing on people’s right to move freely.

“Henceforth, the state governments shall not grant any permission for installation of any statue or construction of any structure on public roads, pavements, sideways or any other public utilities,” a Bench comprising Justices RM Lodha and SJ Mukhopadhaya said.

The SC was hearing a petition seeking removal of illegal shrines on roads and other public places. The Bench passed the order after being informed that the Kerala Government had permitted the installation of a leader’s statute at a busy highway intersection.

Pointing out that roads were public property, the Bench made it clear that no government could take away people’s right to use them without any hindrance in the form of statues, temples, mosques or churches.

The Bench clarified that its order would not come in the way of erecting lamp posts along the roads

As Kerala tried to justify its act of honouring a state leader by putting up his statue, the Bench said this could be done by launching schemes for the poor named after such dignitaries.

The Bench, meanwhile, asked all the states to file fresh affidavits within four weeks on the status of removing illegal shrines in public places, particularly roads.

It also asked Kerala to maintain status quo on the move to install the statue.

Road hindrance

The SC was hearing a petition seeking removal of illegal shrines on roads and other public places

Pointing out that roads were public property, the Bench made it clear that no government could take away people’s right to use them without any hindrance in the form of statues, temples, mosques or churches

The Bench clarified that its order would not come in the way of erecting lamp posts along the roads

The state governments shall not grant any permission for installation of any statue or construction of any structure on public roads, pavements, sideways or any other public utilities. — Apex court Bench