The Karnataka High Court has ordered an immediate halt to construction near the protected Sri Rameshwara Temple in Shivamogga district.
The Court intervened after allegations that construction by Shree Kudali Arya Akshobya Teertha Mutt was taking place within the prohibited 100-metre zone around the ancient temple. This area is legally protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
A Division Bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru questioned the inaction of the Archaeological Survey of India despite issuing notices earlier. The Court observed that statutory authorities must act firmly to safeguard heritage temples and ensure compliance with the law.
The petition highlighted that construction allegedly continued even after notices in 2025 and after the Court took up the matter in 2026. Recent photographs were placed before the Court to support these claims. It was also alleged that permissions used for the construction may have been based on questionable documentation, leading to the withdrawal of the No Objection Certificate earlier this year.
Taking note of the seriousness of the issue, the Court directed that no further construction should continue until the next hearing.
This case reflects a larger concern about the protection of ancient Hindu temples and their sacred surroundings. Preserving these sites is not just a legal duty. It is a civilisational responsibility.
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