A church in Lallaguda, dating back nearly a century, now faces eviction after receiving a notice from the South Central Railway (SCR) according to a report by Time of India. Sacred Heart Church, a central place of worship for the Catholic community in South Lallaguda, has been directed to vacate the premises within a month. The SCR claims that the church, situated on railway property within the SLGD Officers and Staff Colony, was built without proper authorization.
The notice, which cites the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971, warns that failure to comply will result in forced eviction and possible legal action. The church, established in 1927, came into existence when the Railways permitted the Catholic residents of Lallaguda—then a small colony under the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway Company—to build a dedicated place of worship. Initially, Mass was held at the local Railway School by a priest from St. Mary’s Church in Secunderabad. The construction of Sacred Heart Church began in July 1927, following the Railways’ agreement to allocate a plot of land earlier that year. Built in the shape of a cross, the church cost ₹7,000, with a ₹1,000 contribution from the Nizam. It was dedicated to the Sacred Heart and blessed by Msgr. Vismara, the third Bishop of Hyderabad.
One of the church’s early challenges was community opposition to the ringing of its bell, which some non-Catholic neighbors found disruptive at 5:30 a.m. However, the then-priest, Fr. Tinti, managed to resolve the dispute, allowing the bell to continue ringing for various occasions, a tradition that persists today.
Over the years, the church underwent several renovations. Under Fr. Madanu Arogyam’s leadership, an asbestos structure with a gallery was added, blessed by Archbishop Samineni Arulappa. Later, during Fr. Chopparapu Arogyam’s tenure, the asbestos roof was replaced with RCC roofing, and further enhancements were made, culminating in the chapel’s blessing by Archbishop Marampudi Joji in 2004.
100-year-old, illegally-built Sacred Heart Church, Lallaguda, Secunderabad, has received an eviction notice from South Central Railway.
SCR has given the church one month time to vacate the premises and warned that legal action will be taken if the deadline is not met. pic.twitter.com/t5Tzh3HgDj
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) November 17, 2024
The church community, however, contests the SCR’s claims, arguing that they have a legally binding lease agreement with the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway, valid until 2027. They highlight that they have been paying royalties as per the agreement, with receipts valid until 2025. This recent notice, they argue, is the first time the railway authorities have officially questioned their right to the land.
“We are not encroachers,” asserted Father Joannes Mettu. “We have valid legal documents proving our lease extends until 2027. Issuing an eviction notice now is premature, given that there are still three years remaining on our agreement.”, the father was quoted saying in a Time of India report.
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