Raipur school structure demolished after row over alleged church construction

Chhattisgarh officials carried out a demolition drive at a disputed structure located inside the St. Paul School in Raipur, following allegations that a church was being constructed in the name of a community hall inside the premises.

The structure was demolished on Monday using bulldozers amid tight security arrangements. Senior officials, including the Additional Collector and Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), were present at the spot along with a heavy police deployment.

The action followed a complaint by Vishwadini Pandey, State President of the Hindu Swabhiman Organisation.

Pandey claimed that St. Paul School is an educational institution and alleged that the land lease held by the St. Paul Trust had expired in 2022. She further alleged that construction continued despite the expiry of the lease and without the required approval from the concerned authorities.

Following the complaint, the matter was examined by the administration, which later initiated action against the disputed structure.

Pandey said the government and district administration found merit in the allegations, leading to the demolition drive.

Officials are yet to issue a detailed statement explaining the legal basis and administrative grounds for the demolition.

Security remains deployed in the area as authorities continue to monitor the situation.

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