The management of the Utchimalai Hindu temple in Rawang Perdana had filed a suit at the Shah Alam Magistrate Court over the demolition of their temple that occurred on Feb 25.
Lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh, who represent the temple management, confirmed the filing in a statement today.
“We have filed a suit at the Shah Alam Magistrate’s Court on behalf of Kuil Sri Utchimalai Rawang, which was unlawfully demolished at night.
“This suit is filed to safeguard the interests of Kuil Sri Utchimalai Rawang as a result of the actions of the landowner together with third parties in unlawfully demolishing the temple.
“As such, it is clear that all parties must immediately cease any further unlawful demolition of the temple pending disposal of the suit in court,” said the statement.
The temple was demolished in the wee hours of last Wednesday, after its committee relocated its statues of deities following an agreement reached with landowner Yayasan Kubra and the authorities.
According to Yayasan Kubra’s representatives, the temple committee had removed the deities and other items just before their agreed 14-day deadline expired at midnight.
Yayasan Kubra activist Ariff Omar told Malaysiakini on the same day that a group of volunteers later arrived at around 3am and began demolition, monitored by police officers.
‘Pressured to vacate land’
Rajesh and Sachpreetraj, however, condemned the temple demolition and disputed claims that the temple management had voluntarily vacated the site.
The lawyers said that the claims were false and ridiculous, as the temple chairperson had lodged a police report a day before the demolition, complaining that the temple was being pressured to vacate the land without any court order.
The lawyers also claimed the “midnight operation” without a court order amounted to an unlawful eviction of a place of worship.
The temple in Rawang Perdana became the subject of controversy recently after activist Tamim Dahri, who has been at the forefront of campaigning against unauthorised temples, began demolishing it two weeks ago.
Yayasan Kubra said it sought Tamim’s assistance to clear the structure to make way for a housing project for the poor on the plot.
The demolition led to a confrontation between Tamim, who demolished the structure with three friends, and several individuals defending the temple.
Police arrested Tamim and his group, but they were later released after the Shah Alam High Court set aside a two-day remand order issued by the Shah Alam Magistrate’s Court earlier on the same day. - Mkini
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