Hindus of Karak can rebuild their temple on as much land they wish: CJP  

The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) on Wednesday said the Hindu community of Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) could rebuild its temple on as much land as it wanted, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

“If the community wants their place of worship to cover the entire city; let it be,” he remarked.

A two-member bench of the SC, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed, heard the Karak Hindu temple destruction case of which it had taken suo motu notice.

The apex court also ordered the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief secretary to collect equal amounts in fine (Rs30.3 million) from the suspects within one month.

The KP government, however, raised objections to the apex court’s order.

Speaking on the occasion, KP Advocate General (AG) argued that currently trial of the suspects was underway. “What will then be the justification of receiving sums from suspects who are found innocent after completion of the trial?” he questioned.

The CJP remarked, “Think before you talk AG sab. This is a court order.”

Ramesh Kumar, a Hindu leader, on the occasion said that the road leading to the temple was blocked and the Hindu devotees had been asked to talk to the Ulema (religious scholars).

CJP Gulzar said let the time come. “I will see them,” he remarked.

During the hearing, Rehmat Salam Khattak, one of the suspects in the case, prayed to the court to forgive him, saying he had no relation with those who had set the temple on fire. “Police have arrested 100 ‘innocent’ people in connection with the attack. In fact, I was the one who kept urging the charged crowd not to attack the temple. I am being falsely implicated in the case,” he told the court.

The CJP said that members of the Hindu community entered into an agreement with their Muslim brethren following which the suspects were granted bails.

The case’s hearing was adjourned for a month time.