HC directs civic authorities to de-seal 125-year-old church

Madras High Court today directed the civic authorities to de-seal a 125-year-old church here for 15 days, to enable devotees offer worship during the Easter week.
First bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar passed the order on a petition by St Antony's Church in Ekattuthangal locality.
The bench posted the matter for further hearing two weeks after summer vacation.
The petitioner sought a direction to the city Corporation to de-seal the church premises, that was closed by civic authorities on January 4 last.
It was sealed after a petition was filed in the high court by a resident of the area claiming that a passage used by the public of a nearby street had been enroached by the church.

The church submitted that its closure had hurt the religious sentiments of worshippers and requested that the 400-odd families be allowed to offer prayers on its premises during the current holy week.