Supreme Court refuses to stay Somnath demolition drive

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to order status quo on demolition of illegal structures on government land near the Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat.

Despite repeated requests made by senior counsel Sanjay Hegde on behalf of petitioner Summast Patni Muslim Jamaat, a Bench of Justice BR Gavai and KV Justice Viswanathan chose not to issue a notice to the Gujarat Government.

However, it asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Gujarat Government to file the state’s reply to the petition and posted the matter for hearing on October 16. Hegde said there were 45 houses, 10 mosques and five dargahs on 57 acres of land. Seeking parity, Hegde said in a similar matter from Assam, the top court had ordered status quo and issued a notice to the state government on September 30.