The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday put an end to the controversy surrounding the construction of the Sri Ram temple at Akiveedu in West Godavari district by giving the green light for the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for May 3. The court observed that the construction can proceed as long as all necessary permissions are obtained.
Petition Dismissed as Withdrawn
At the request of the petitioner, the high court dismissed the petition as withdrawn. The petition was filed by V Joshna Devi and two others, challenging the construction of the temple in Survey No. 470-12 at Pedapeta, under Akiveedu mandal. The petitioners argued that the Gonthenamma temple was located on a portion of the land in question, and the remaining land was used as a Rachabanda (meeting point) by locals.
Arguments by Petitioners
Jada Sravan Kumar, representing the petitioners, contended that the land in question is government land. He cited the Supreme Court's directions that no religious construction should be made on any government land. Therefore, the construction of the temple should not be allowed.
Arguments by Temple Committee
Senior counsel Y V Ravi Prasad, arguing on behalf of the temple committee, presented a different view. He stated that the revenue records clearly indicate that the land is temple land and has been mentioned as Ramalayam since 1932. He further argued that it is not a new construction but a reconstruction of a dilapidated temple. He emphasized that all requisite permissions have been obtained from the authorities, including a no-objection certificate from the district collector and plan approval from the panchayat.
Court's Decision
Justice Ravi Cheemalapati, after considering the submissions from both sides, ruled that the groundbreaking ceremony for the temple reconstruction can proceed as all permissions have been obtained. The court directed the respondents to file counter-affidavits in the matter.
