Places of Worship Act does not bar acquisition of religious sites for public purpose, says Allahabad HC
The Allahabad High Court ruled that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, protects the religious character of places of worship but does not bar the State from acquiring such properties for genuine public purposes like road widening. This decision came while dismissing a petition by Muslim shopkeepers in Varanasi challenging a road-widening project linked to the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, which would affect their shops and several mosques. The court clarified that the Act prevents conversion of religious character, not acquisition for secular public use, and noted the petitioners lacked locus standi for the mosques.
Why it matters
This ruling clarifies the scope of a significant law concerning religious sites in India, establishing a precedent for how the State's power of eminent domain interacts with religious protection laws. It has implications for future infrastructure projects and urban development that may involve properties near places of worship across the country.
The Allahabad High Court on Thursday (July 2, 2026) held that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, protects the religious character of places of worship but does not prohibit the State from acquiring such properties for a genuine public purpose, such as road widening or infrastructure development.
The article objectively reports a court ruling, presenting both the petitioners' arguments and the court's detailed reasoning without editorializing or showing favoritism towards any party or viewpoint.
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