The New Indian Express ·
L&O fear can’t stop church construction: Madras HC
MADURAI: Holding that mere apprehension of a law-and-order problem cannot be a ground to stop the construction of a church near a Hindu temple, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently dismissed a petition filed by a Hindu Munnani functionary against the reconstruction of a church building near Muthumariamman temple in Sivaganga.
The petitioner, G Marimuthu, challenged the collector’s order dated May 13, 2021 permitting the construction, as it was situated within 45 metres of the temple. The collector ought to have heard the residents before passing the order, he added.
However, the counsel representing the church contended that the prayer hall has been in existence in the said location for the past 25 years and the local people have been living in harmony. Since the old structure became weak, reconstruction works were undertaken, he added.
