HC Dismisses Plea Against Permissions for Reconstruction of Ramalayam in West Godavari
The petitioners contended that the land on which the temple was being reconstructed belonged to the government and argued that no construction activity should be permitted on government land.
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has dismissed a petition challenging permissions granted for the reconstruction of Ramalayam at Pedapeta village in Akiveedu mandal of West Godavari district.
A single judge bench of Justice G. Ramakrishna Prasad heard the matter on Tuesday on a petition filed by local residents Jyotsna and two others, questioning the permissions issued by the district collector and nagar panchayat commissioner.
The petitioners contended that the land on which the temple was being reconstructed belonged to the government and argued that no construction activity should be permitted on government land.
Counsel for the petitioners, Jada Sravan Kumar, submitted that the authorities had no basis to grant permission for the temple construction.
However, the court observed that revenue records indicated the existence of the Ramalayam at the same location for around 80 years. It also noted that the records of adjacent agricultural lands mentioned the temple as a boundary.
The court further observed that, based on reports of the tahsildar and revenue divisional officer, the district collector and nagar panchayat commissioner had granted permissions for reconstruction of the temple subject to certain conditions.
Finding no merit in the plea, the court dismissed the petition and declined to interfere in the matter.
HC directs Centre, AP to file counters on plea over SC certificates of pastors
The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday directed the Central and state governments to file counter-affidavits on a plea seeking revocation of Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates issued to pastors who have adopted Christianity.
A single judge bench of Justice Nyapathy Vijay heard the petition filed by the Scheduled Kulala Hakkula Parirakshana Samithi president Peddireddy Prasanna Kumar, seeking directions to cancel SC certificates issued to pastors in West Godavari and Eluru districts.
Counsel for the petitioner, Narra Srinivasa Rao, argued that issuance of SC certificates to pastors was not in accordance with the Supreme Court rulings. He contended that provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would not apply to those who had converted to Christianity and obtained caste certificates, and sought action against officials who issued such certificates.
After hearing the submissions, the court adjourned the matter to July 6 for further hearing.
