Friday, July 29 2005 16:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Throwing out a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking 'Stringent security measures to protect' places of worship at Kashi and Mathura in the wake of terrorist attack on Ayodhya Temple, the Supreme Court today (July 29, 2005) said it was not its job to monitor the security of shrines across India.

A Bench comprising Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice B P Singh said this while dismissing a petition filed by Mohd Aslam alias Bhure, who had filed PILs relating to the disputed structure at Ayodhya including one on trial of former Home Minister and BJP President L K Advani in the demolition case.

The Bench cut short arguments of advocate M M Kashyap, appearing for the petitioner, by firmly telling him "We cannot entertain such petitions. The Supreme Court cannot control or monitor the security of mosques and temples."

Quoting a judgement of September 24, 1993, the petitioner said the Apex Court had directed authorities to take steps for 'safeguarding religious places Vishwanath Temple/Gyanvapi Mosque at Varanasi and Krishna Temple/Shahi Idgah at Mathura.'

Referring to the July 5 terrorist attack on the Ramjanambhoomi temple at the site of the demolished disputed structure and blast at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple a week later; the petitioner had sought a direction to the Center and the Uttar Pradesh Government for providing stringent security around these religious places of worship.