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.