Prayagraj, July 3 -- The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a significant writ petition challenging the proposed road widening and beautification project in Varanasi's Daalmandi market.

A Division Bench comprising Justice J.J. Munir and Justice Arun Kumar observed that, under the sovereign powers of the State, acquisition of religious places for public purposes is legally valid and not unconstitutional.

The writ petition was filed by six petitioners, who are tenants of shops in the Daalmandi market. They sought protection against alleged forcible eviction from their shops and requested the Court to restrain the deployment of police or other security forces. They also sought protection of six ancient mosques in the area and urged the aut...