2 hrs ago
Supreme Court Summons Officials Over Delhi Heritage Monument Upkeep
The Supreme Court is worried that important old monuments in Delhi are not being looked after properly.
It said government departments are not working together well.
The court asked senior officials from several departments to come to a hearing on October 15 and help make a team to coordinate their work.
The case includes Lal Mahal, an old palace in Nizamuddin, and tombs in Zamrudpur where there are concerns about encroachment.
The court criticized the Archaeological Survey of India and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
The MCD said it could not find that the land at Lal Mahal belonged to it.
An ASI official said the agency looks after more than 4,000 monuments across the country.
The court has not yet issued stricter orders, but warned that stronger action may be needed.
The Supreme Court criticized government departments for poor upkeep of heritage monuments in Delhi and a lack of coordination.
Senior officials from the Culture Ministry, MCD, ASI, DDA and Delhi government’s archaeology department were directed to appear on October 15.
The court said it was calling officials to form a coordination team and held off on strict orders for now.
The hearing addressed the condition of Lal Mahal, a 13th-century palace in Nizamuddin, and encroachment at Lodhi-era tombs in Zamrudpur.
The MCD said it could not establish that Lal Mahal’s land was under its jurisdiction, while an ASI official said it maintained more than 4,000 monuments nationwide.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India; officials from the Union Ministry of Culture, MCD, ASI, DDA and Delhi government’s Department of Archaeology.
- What
- The court criticized agencies over the upkeep and protection of heritage monuments and directed senior officials to appear and coordinate.
- Where
- Delhi, including Lal Mahal in Nizamuddin and Lodhi-era tombs in Zamrudpur.
- When
- The hearing took place on Wednesday; officials were directed to appear on October 15. The year was not specified.
- Why
- The court cited poor maintenance, encroachment concerns and a lack of coordination among government bodies.
Court’s concerns
Departments’ responses
Responsibility for monument upkeep
Court’s concerns
The court said agencies had failed to maintain and protect heritage monuments and criticized their lack of seriousness and coordination.
Departments’ responses
The MCD’s counsel said the corporation could not find that Lal Mahal’s land was under its jurisdiction and said it would file an affidavit. An ASI official said the agency maintains more than 4,000 monuments.
Resources and coordination
Court’s concerns
The court questioned whether the ASI had asked the government for more staff and called for officials to form a coordination team.
Departments’ responses
The ASI official cited the scale of the agency’s workload, saying it maintains over 4,000 monuments; the articles do not report a direct response to the court’s question about a staffing request.
Key facts
- Court bench
- Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N. Kotiswar Singh
- Next appearance
- October 15
- Monument discussed
- Lal Mahal, described in court as a 13th-century palace in Nizamuddin
- Encroachment concern
- Lodhi-era tombs in Zamrudpur, south Delhi
- ASI figure
- An ASI official said the agency maintains more than 4,000 monuments nationwide
- Court commissioner
- Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan filed a report in the matter
- Current court position
- The court refrained from issuing stringent orders for the present
Quotes
Supreme Court bench
The bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N Kotiswar Singh hearing the heritage preservation matter.
“We find that there is an absolute lack of cohesion between various government bodies/ departments.”
telegraphindia.com
CNBC TV 18
“We are calling them for forming a team for coordination.”
telegraphindia.com
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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