Somnath encroachment case: SC asks Gujarat govt to keep wall height at 5-6 ft

NEW DELHI: As it was alleged that Gujarat govt was erecting a 12-foot wall around an area which had recently been cleared from encroachment and having a dargah near Somnath temple , Supreme Court Monday asked the state why such a high wall was needed and said that a normal wall of 5-6 feet high should be constructed.

Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde brought to the apex court's notice while mentioning the case and a bench of Justices B R Gavai and A G Masih asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta to inform the district collector to erect a normal wall. The SG said that a wall was constructed at the site to prevent encroachment and assured the top court that no activities, including Hindu religious rituals , were being permitted on the govt land which was under encroachment.

Mehta said that nothing had been placed on record that a 12-foot wall was being constructed and he would take instruction from the authority. "Don't have a 12-ft wall. If you are protecting it, 5 ft, 6 ft is enough. Make it a reasonable height. Why do you want to have a 12 ft compound wall? You better instruct your Collector", bench told the SG.