New Delhi: The Supreme Court accepted Monday, the Centre’s revised offer of 400 square metres of land in Tughlaqabad forest area here for the construction of Guru Ravidas Temple which was demolished by the DDA following the apex court’s earlier order.
Attorney General KK Venugopal told a bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Shripathi Ravindra Bhat that the Centre has revised its offer from 200 square metres area for the temple to 400sq mt keeping in view the faith and sentiments of devotees.
The Supreme Court bench directed the Centre to constitute within six weeks a committee for the construction of the temple in the area earmarked for it. The bench also said that nobody will carry out any commercial activity in the area in and around the place earmarked for temple.
The top court also directed that persons who were arrested during agitations following the demolition of the temple be released on furnishing of personal bond.
The Centre had Friday told the apex court that it was willing to hand over 200 sq mt of land to devotees for construction of Guru Ravidas temple in South Delhi but with certain conditions.
Venugopal had said he had held consultation with all parties including devotees and government officials and Centre has agreed to give the same piece of land considering sensitivity and faith of devotees for the site.
The top court had asked the parties to file their response by Monday, if any and said that it would pass order in the matter. The apex court October 4, had also asked the parties involved in a plea seeking permission to rebuild the Guru Ravidas temple in Tughlaqabad forest area to come back to it with an amicable solution on a better location for the temple.
The temple was demolished by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) following the court’s direction, which had led to massive outcry and protests in the national capital. The top court had then said it respects everybody’s sentiments but the law has to be followed.
PTI