In Brief
The Supreme Court examined whether Gujarat State must repair mosques and religious places damaged during 2002 communal riots. The High Court had mandated comprehensive restoration through appointed Special Officers. The State contended this would violate Article 27 (no tax proceeds for religion) and constitutional secularism. The Court held that while equal treatment and protection of all religious places is constitutional duty, the State is not obliged to mandatorily repair them. However, a voluntary ex gratia scheme providing uniform assistance to all damaged places of worship, regardless of religion, and equated with individual property assistance, does not violate Article 27. The Court accepted the State's scheme and set aside the High Court's directive, requiring claimants to satisfy conditions precedent and procedural timelines within the scheme framework.
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