Madras HC Shields 50-Year Temple on Park Land
Court rejects “encroachment” label for longstanding Hindu shrine. Justice upholds the temple as the park’s spiritual heart, serving mental well-being.
Madras High Court ruled that a temple existing for over five decades on park-designated land in Veeraraghavan village, Thiruverkadu, cannot be termed encroachment. Justice Krishnan Ramasamy imposed ₹1 lakh cost on petitioner Jesudass Cornelius for mala fide intent aimed at stirring communal tension.
Temple occupies just 2,260 sq ft of the 9,000 sq ft plot, leaving ample park space. Authorities confirmed the structure predates the layout approval; the remaining 6,740 sq ft maintains a playground. The court slammed the petition as a disruptive ploy against the majority residents’ worship rights.
Parks foster physical recreation while temples nurture mental-spiritual health within the Sanatana Dharma ethos. Justice noted religious worship equals community purpose; long-established faith cannot face belated demolition threats. No lake/river obstruction involved.
Protects Hindu temples from targeted legal harassment while balancing public amenities, safeguarding community bhakti spaces.
Court affirms temples as integral to India’s pluralistic fabric, rejecting manufactured disputes against Hindu worship continuity.
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