Places of worship converted into private tenements by priests, imams: HC

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has expressed concern over conversion of public places of worship into private tenements after which rights are sought to be claimed over the property by priests, pandits, imams, caretakers and their families in an illegal and unauthorised manner.
The high court said places of worship are converted into residences and occupied by people taking care of the premises, including their extended families, domestic help and other trespassers, which is be contrary to law.
“In some cases, this court has also noticed that the said places of worship are extended beyond the allotted land and are converted into commercial property, and rents/ lease amounts are also sought to be collected in an illegal and unauthorised manner.
“Even in the present case it is not clear as to the basis on which so many persons who are described as workers’ were inducted by the petitioner into the property and they continued to occupy the property for several years,” Justice Prathiba M Singh said.
The high court was dealing with a petition related to a prime property located next to Masjid Zabta Ganj on Man Singh Road near India Gate.
Petitioner Zahir Ahmed filed the petition seeking de-sealing of the property, which consists of one room, kitchen, bathroom and some space adjacent to the mosque. He also sought a restraint order against alleged harassment being caused to him and sought permission to reconstruct the property.