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 The High Court of Gujarat has asked the Government of Gujarat to take necessary measures to protect the graveyard belonging to the Catholic community at Vatva in Ahmedabad of Gujarat. Justice Jayant Patel passed the orders and issued a notice to the district collector on 10 May 2007 based on a writ petition filed by the aggrieved party.
The Department of Administrative Reforms of the Government of India also ordered the Revenue Department in Gujarat to do the needful to ensure justice to the community. The President of India and the Governor of Gujarat issued written orders asking the Government of Gujarat to adhere to the rule of law. All India Christian Council (aicc) intervened and initiated legal proceedings to protect the graveyard. The situation turned grave following antisocial elements digging up the area surrounding the graveyard for sand. "This is not only unlawful but done in connivance with Government officers. The Christian Council has appealed to the authorities concerned to take necessary action against the guilty and protect the graveyard," aicc national executive member and joint secretary Samson Christian said. As a result of the aicc initiatives, the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to the Ahmedabad District Collector on 5 March 2007. The aicc then filed a Special Civil Application before the High Court, which was heard on 10 May 2007. Justice Jayant Patel sought a report regarding the excavation work, and ordered that a plan be submitted to the Government of Gujarat on how to save the graveyard. Samson Christian said, "The coming rainy season could destroy the graveyard. The aicc strongly opposes the policy of the Government of Gujarat which has ignored the urgency of the situation. We request the Government to act fast to protect the Catholic graveyard at Vatva as per the orders issued by the High Court."
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