Supreme Court initially orders status quo on 'illegal' demolition of places of worship in Gujarat's Gir, later says no interim order necessary

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered status quo on 'illegal' demolition of places of worship carried out by Gujarat authorities at Gir in Somnath. However, soon after, the apex court ruled that no interim order was necessary anymore.

This comes after the Gujarat government last week justified its demolition action in Gir Somnath district before the Supreme Court saying it was an ongoing drive for removing encroachments on public land.

On September 17, the top court had stopped demolition of properties, including of those accused of crime, without its permission, while observing that even one instance of illegal demolition was against the "ethos" of the Constitution.

More to follow...

(With PTI inputs)