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NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 11, 2004: The Supreme Court today declined to stay the ongoing construction activities at the Akshardham Temple Complex being built on the banks of river Yamuna even as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) said that all necessary permissions for the temple was obtained. A Bench comprising Justice N. Santosh Hegde and Justice S. B. Sinha declined to stay ongoing construction at the temple complex as prayed by petitioner Uttar Pradesh State Employees Confederation questioning the allotment of the land on the banks of river Yamuna. Appearing for the Society (BAPS denomination) constructing the temple, senior advocate Harish Salve with advocate Rajiv Nanda submitted that there was absolutely no violation of the land use and that the temple complex was in an advanced stage of construction as its opening was scheduled for March, 2005. However, appearing for the petitioner, advocate Vishwajit Singh sought a stay on the construction of the temple complex alleging that the pace of construction has been stepped up by the society as it realized that the illegal use of land on the river bank could result in a restraint order. Appearing for Centre, Additional Solicitor General Amrendra Saran stated that the temple complex had got all requisite permissions from all concerned authorities including DDA. The Bench took note of the fact that a major portion of the temple has already been constructed and declined to grant stay on the construction activity. It directed listing of the matter for final hearing on November 17.

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