A serious land-use controversy has surfaced in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district after a formal complaint accused the Calvary Church Foundation of constructing and operating a massive church complex on land that had received permission only for residential development. The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) has urged the District Collector to order the immediate demolition of the alleged unauthorized Christian religious structure, calling the case a deliberate and grave violation of planning laws and public safety norms.

Documents in the annexure show that the Eluru Urban Development Authority (EUDA) granted conditional permission in March–October 2025 for the construction of a G+1 residential building at Kuchenapalli village in Tadepalligudem mandal. As part of this approval, the foundation executed a statutory mortgage deed in April 2025, pledging a portion of the proposed built-up area to guarantee strict compliance with the sanctioned residential use and building rules. The permit explicitly warned that any deviation could lead to demolition and revocation of permission.

Complaint seeks demolition of alleged unauthorized Church structure

The LRPF complaint states that the structure was built on land in Survey Nos. 300-2A, 300-2B1, 300-2B2, 300-3, 300-6, 300-7, 307-1A, and 308-3, measuring 24,388.58 square yards, in violation of the sanctioned approval granted only for a residential apartment building (G+1) and in breach of statutory mortgage conditions executed in favor of the Eluru Urban Development Authority.

However, the complaint alleges that instead of constructing apartments, the foundation built a large church facility and began hosting public gatherings, inauguration events, and Christmas celebrations at the same site. Videos cited in the complaint reportedly describe the structure as the largest church in the West Godavari district, raising serious questions about how a residential approval was allegedly converted into a major public assembly space for the Christians.

The complaint argues that this is not a minor technical violation but a complete and unlawful change of land use obtained through misrepresentation, undermining the planning process itself. According to the building permit conditions, the sanctioned plan had to be followed strictly, an occupancy certificate was mandatory before use, and any violation could attract demolition and legal action.

Equally alarming are the public safety concerns raised in the complaint. A building approved for residential use is not designed to handle large congregations, traffic inflow, parking demand, emergency evacuation, or fire-safety requirements mandatory for public assembly structures. The annexure lists extensive fire and safety obligations that apply to such buildings, highlighting the risks posed if a residential structure is used for mass gatherings.

Significantly, the applicant had reportedly signed an undertaking authorizing authorities to demolish any violation without prior notice and bear the demolition costs. The LRPF has therefore demanded revocation of the building permission, demolition of the alleged illegal construction, and criminal and administrative action against those responsible.

The complaint has urged the district administration to treat the matter as urgent in the interest of the rule of law, public safety, and planned urban development. The case now places the spotlight on whether authorities will act decisively against alleged misuse of building permissions and send a strong message that land-use violations, regardless of the entity involved, will not be tolerated.

Statement from LRPF

As per the Organizer, LRPF General Secretary A.S. Santosh alleged that Christian missionary networks often push aggressive expansion and disregard legal norms, claiming that such organizations later portray enforcement action as religious targeting and raise complaints at national and international platforms.