Illegal constructions at Asaram’s Delhi ashram to be demmolished

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, November 11, 2014: After a year-long legal battle between a private petitioner and once-powerful godman Asaram Bapu, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday ordered demolition of all "illegal structures" raised in the latter’s ashram on the "protected" Ridge Forest area.

The court ordered that all permanent or temporary structures raised by Sant Shri Asha Ramji Bapu Trust (Ashram), subsequent to the order of the apex court dated January 9, 2003, be demolished within four weeks.

The court said that if one compared sketches submitted by the ashram in August 2002 with the detailed map submitted by the court’s inspection committee, "there are substantial changes in the structures existing and area occupied". "Presently, (there are) additional rooms, stores, toilets and tin sheds," it observed.

The committee also noticed garbage in the Ridge and a sewage pipe emanating from the ashram. "The pipeline shall be dismantled within four weeks," the court said and ordered the Trust to plant at least 1,000 trees in the area within six weeks.

"All the government departments, particularly the department of forests and the Ridge Management Board are directed to take possession of the excess Reserved Forest Area and ensure no further environmental degradation takes place."

The petitioner, Sanjay Kumar, had pleaded that the 4,312-square yard ashram was constructed "illegally".

 

Courtesy: Indiatoday