Shrine relocation row: Telangana HC declines interim relief

Justice B Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court declined interim relief in a petition challenging the alleged barricading of the Hazrath dargah within the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple premises in Vemulawada

Hyderabad: Justice B Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court on Monday declined to grant interim relief in a writ petition challenging the barricading and obstruction of the Dargah Hazrath situated within the precincts of the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple at Vemulawada in Rajanna-Sircilla district, after the State informed the Court that the shrine had already been relocated with the consent of the mutawalli.

The writ petition was filed by Mohammed Nazima from Vemulawada alleging that authorities had illegally fenced and obstructed access to the dargah, thereby preventing devotees from visiting the shrine and performing religious rituals.

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Appearing for the State, Advocate General A. Sudharshan Reddy submitted that the dargah had since been shifted with the permission of the mutawalli. He further informed the Court that Vemulawada had remained peaceful and that any precipitative orders at this stage could disturb communal harmony in the town.

Recording the submission of the Advocate General, During the hearing, Regula Rajkumar, a resident of Vemulawada, filed an implead application in the pending writ petition placing on record the historical background of the temple and stating that the government had sanctioned Rs. 76 crore for development works and improvement of amenities within the temple premises.

Appearing for the Implead Petitioner, Senior Counsel L Ravichander contended that it was the petitioner’s own admitted case that the dargah had already been relocated. He argued that no interim order ought to be granted unless the Court ultimately concludes that the relocation was illegal. He also referred to photographic material showing the new premises where the dargah has been accommodated.

Taking these submissions on record, Justice Vijaysen Reddy granted two weeks’ time to all parties to file their respective counters and posted the matter for further hearing.