New Delhi. The Supreme Court has taken a tough stance regarding the protection of the protected monuments of Delhi. The court has issued a contempt notice to the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The court considered the non-filing of replies on the status of 173 notified heritage sites as a willful violation of the orders.
Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice N. Kotishwar Singh’s bench directed the ASI Director General to appear in person in the next hearing. The court said that he would have to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.
During the hearing, the court also commented on the report of the Archeology Department of Delhi Government. The court said that 19 monuments have been inspected, but in many cases only general information has been given. The court has directed to file a detailed affidavit, which will have to include the steps taken and recent photographs for each memorial.
The court also expressed displeasure over the functioning of the municipal bodies. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has surveyed only 62 monuments out of 85, while the New Delhi Municipal Council has inspected only 2 out of 54 monuments. The court has also ordered both the institutions to submit detailed reports.
This case is related to the petition of petitioner Rajiv Suri, in which the issue of encroachment on the Lodi period monument ‘Gumti of Sheikh Ali’ located in Defense Colony was raised. The court has indicated that further directions may be issued for better coordination between various agencies.
The Supreme Court has directed all concerned agencies to file detailed reports and ensure improvement in conservation work, so as to clarify the status of historical sites in the capital and make their conservation effective.
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