Court assured that property will not be sold

Excise and Taxation Minister assures Sindh Court that Shri Laxmi Narain temple property will not be sold.

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court was assured that the property belonging to the 200-year old Shri Laxmi Narain temple will not be sold to anyone.

A lawyer representing Excise and Taxation Minister Mukesh Chawla, Jhamat Dethanand, also promised that any illegal construction at the site will be prevented. Dethanand was speaking before the court on Wednesday during the hearing of a petition challenging the demolition of certain structures at the temple located at the Native Jetty Bridge.

Kailash Wishram, who lives in the temple, had gone to court against Karachi Port Trust, the excise and taxation minister and the Hindu Panchayat, accusing them of demolishing certain parts of the temple, including a staircase that led to sea water. “Access to water is an important part of the religious rituals of Hindus,” he argued.

On October 31, 2012, the court had restrained the authorities from damaging any further structures and raising constructions that may hinder the access of worshippers to the water. Later, the petitioner filed an application accusing the excise and taxation minister and the Hindu Panchayat for carrying out the demolition despite court orders.

Zain A. Jatoi, the petitioner’s lawyer, gave his word that the petitioner will not hinder the construction as long as it is carried out according to law.

After hearing the arguments, the division bench, headed by Justice Maqbool Baqir, disposed of the petition. The petitioner was, however, allowed to approach the court in case of any violation.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2012.