Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Pulls Up Departments Over Delhi Heritage Upkeep
The Supreme Court is concerned that some old monuments in Delhi are not being properly looked after.
It said the government departments responsible are not working together well.
The court asked senior officials from several departments to attend a hearing on October 15 and help form a team to coordinate their work.
The case includes Lal Mahal, an old palace in Nizamuddin.
It also includes concerns about encroachment near Lodhi-era tombs in Zamrudpur.
The court criticized the MCD and the Archaeological Survey of India for their handling of monument protection.
The MCD said it could not confirm that Lal Mahal’s land was under its responsibility and said it would file an affidavit.
An ASI official said the agency looks after more than 4,000 monuments across India.
The court held off on strict orders for the time being.
The Supreme Court criticized government departments for poor maintenance of heritage monuments and a lack of coordination.
Senior officials from the Culture Ministry, MCD, ASI, DDA and Delhi government archaeology department were directed to appear on October 15.
The court said it wanted the officials to form a coordination team and refrained from issuing stringent 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; an ASI official said the agency maintains more than 4,000 monuments nationwide.
- Who
- The Supreme Court and senior officials from the Union Ministry of Culture, MCD, ASI, DDA and Delhi government’s Department of Archaeology.
- What
- The court criticized agencies over monument maintenance and coordination, and directed senior officials to appear and form a coordination team.
- When
- The hearing took place on Wednesday; officials were directed to appear on October 15. The year was not specified.
- Where
- Delhi, including Lal Mahal in Nizamuddin and Lodhi-era tombs in Zamrudpur.
- Why
- The court cited poor monument upkeep, encroachment concerns and a lack of coordination among government departments.
Court’s concerns
Departments’ responses
Responsibility for maintenance
Court’s concerns
The court said departments 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 establish that Lal Mahal’s land was under its jurisdiction and said it would file an affidavit.
Staffing and capacity
Court’s concerns
The court asked whether the ASI had requested more staff from the government.
Departments’ responses
An ASI official said the agency maintains more than 4,000 monuments across the country; the articles do not report a direct answer about a staffing request.
- Next appearance
- October 15
- Court bench
- Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N. Kotiswar Singh
- Monument discussed
- Lal Mahal, described 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
- Court’s immediate action
- The court refrained from issuing stringent orders for the present
