New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has said that if every Sadhu, Baba and Guru is allowed to build a temple or a Samadhi site on public land and use it for personal gain, then it would endanger the larger public interest. There will be disastrous consequences.
The High Court said that Naga Sadhus, who are devotees of Lord Shiva, are ordained to live a life of complete detachment from worldly affairs and demanding property rights in their name is not in keeping with their beliefs and practices.
“In our country, we may find thousands of Sadhus, Babas, Fakirs or Gurus in different parts of the landscape and if each is allowed to build a temple or Samadhi site on public land and, thus, use it for personal gain continues to do. By vested interest groups, this will lead to disastrous consequences, endangering the larger public interest,” Justice Dharmesh Sharma said.
The high court's observations came while dismissing a plea by Mahant Nag Baba Shankar Giri through his heir, seeking direction to the District Magistrate to demarcate the property of Naga Baba Bhola Giri's temple Triveni Ghat, Nigambodh Ghat Went.The petitioner claimed that it had already taken possession of the property before the 2006 deadline prescribed by the Delhi Special Law Act.
The petitioner's grievance was that in February 2023, officials of the Flood Control and Irrigation Department of the Delhi Government demolished various slums and other buildings surrounding the property, due to which he faced imminent danger of demolition of the temple. ,
The court dismissed the petition saying it had no merit and the petitioner had no right, title or interest to continue using and occupying the property.
"It is clear that he is a rank trace-passer and the mere fact that he has been an agriculturist for 30 years or more does not confer on him any legal right, title or interest to continue in possession of the subject property " The High Court said.
“It appears that the petitioner has constructed two rooms along with a tin shed and other facilities on the shore in addition to the temple of the revered Baba, who died in 1996.But, there is nothing on record to show that this place is of any historical importance or dedicated to the public for worship or for prayers of the revered deceased Baba,” the High Court said.
The High Court said that Naga Sadhus, who are devotees of Lord Shiva, are ordained to live a life of complete detachment from worldly affairs and demanding property rights in their name is not in keeping with their beliefs and practices.
“In our country, we may find thousands of Sadhus, Babas, Fakirs or Gurus in different parts of the landscape and if each is allowed to build a temple or Samadhi site on public land and, thus, use it for personal gain continues to do. By vested interest groups, this will lead to disastrous consequences, endangering the larger public interest,” Justice Dharmesh Sharma said.
The high court's observations came while dismissing a plea by Mahant Nag Baba Shankar Giri through his heir, seeking direction to the District Magistrate to demarcate the property of Naga Baba Bhola Giri's temple Triveni Ghat, Nigambodh Ghat Went.The petitioner claimed that it had already taken possession of the property before the 2006 deadline prescribed by the Delhi Special Law Act.
The petitioner's grievance was that in February 2023, officials of the Flood Control and Irrigation Department of the Delhi Government demolished various slums and other buildings surrounding the property, due to which he faced imminent danger of demolition of the temple. ,
The court dismissed the petition saying it had no merit and the petitioner had no right, title or interest to continue using and occupying the property.
"It is clear that he is a rank trace-passer and the mere fact that he has been an agriculturist for 30 years or more does not confer on him any legal right, title or interest to continue in possession of the subject property " The High Court said.
“It appears that the petitioner has constructed two rooms along with a tin shed and other facilities on the shore in addition to the temple of the revered Baba, who died in 1996.But, there is nothing on record to show that this place is of any historical importance or dedicated to the public for worship or for prayers of the revered deceased Baba,” the High Court said.
