Jaipur, January 29, 2026: The Rajasthan High Court has issued strict directives to the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) and the state government to remove illegal temples and encroachments from public footpaths, roads and pathways in the city, underscoring the need to protect public spaces and enforce urban laws.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sangeeta Sharma heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by resident Sunny Meena challenging the construction of unauthorised structures, including a temple, on a public road in Pratap Nagar Sector-7. The petitioners highlighted how the illegal constructions had significantly narrowed the width of the road and were being used to conduct commercial activities under the guise of religious faith.
Court Directs Immediate Action
The High Court ordered the JMC to remove the illegal temple and structures within seven days, and to relocate any idol found on the site to a recognised temple nearby. The court also directed the Deputy Commissioner of the JMC’s Sanganer zone to appear before it on February 4 with a compliance report.
In addition, the JMC Commissioner has been asked to submit an affidavit detailing the steps taken so far to tackle illegal temples and encroachments across the city’s footpaths and roads. The state government has also been instructed to issue clear norms for demolition of unauthorised temple structures and the relocation of idols to authorised places of worship.
Officials to Be Held Accountable
The court observed that the temple in question appeared to have been constructed without proper authorisation and noted that officials responsible for permitting or overlooking the encroachment should face departmental action.
Counsel for the petitioners argued that despite repeated complaints to JMC and the Housing Board dating back years, authorities had failed to act against the illegal temple and shop encroachments. Following the PIL, the Municipal Corporation had demolished the illegal shops, but no action was taken against the temple structure prior to the High Court’s orders.
Balancing Faith and Rule of Law
While representatives of the JMC and other respondents told the court that the temple was old and connected to public faith, petitioners produced recent images indicating fresh construction, prompting the bench to stress that public faith cannot justify illegal encroachments on public space.
The case is now listed for further hearing on February 4, 2026, when authorities will report on compliance with the court’s orders.