The Supreme Court has stayed the demolition of a temple built within the premises of Visthara Residency in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, following allegations that it was constructed illegally on land designated as Open Space Reservation (OSR). The interim relief was granted by a bench comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan, who also issued a notice on the plea filed by the Visthara Welfare Association.
According to a Live Law report, Senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, representing the petitioners, argued that the Madras High Court had passed its demolition order without giving the affected parties a chance to be heard or submit their responses. “Neither the petitioner nor respondents 1 to 8 were heard or allowed to file their pleadings,” the counsel stated.
Acknowledging this procedural lapse, the Supreme Court stayed the demolition and scheduled the matter for further hearing in eight weeks. The petition challenges a Madras High Court ruling that had found no valid authorization or permits for the temple’s construction on OSR land, concluding it was an illegal structure. Justice S.M. Subramaniam had ordered the Madurai Corporation to remove the temple within four weeks and ensure the land is maintained in line with the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.
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