The Hindu : Notice to Centre on Taj case

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 14, 2004

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Notice to Centre on Taj case

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB.13. The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Union Ministry of Culture to explain before March 16, the adverse effect on the foundation of the Taj Mahal caused by the reclamation of 75 acres of land in the Yamuna river-bed. The notice was issued by a three-Judge Bench comprising the Chief Justice, V.N. Khare, Justice Brijesh Kumar and Justice S.H. Kapadia, during the resumed hearing of the Rs.175 crore Taj Heritage Corridor Project scam involving the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Ms. Mayawati, four top bureaucrats of the State and two officials of the Centre.

The Bench took note of the submissions made by the amicus curiae in the Taj Mahal-related cases, Krishan Mahajan that because of the reclamation, there had been diversion in the flow of the river towards the foundation of the monument. He also alleged that the reclamation had narrowed down the width of the river. Even though two reports had been filed dealing with the issue, the crucial report of the Khadakwasla expert body was still awaited.

The Bench which also perused the CBI's status report on the investigation into the scam, asked the agency to file another before the next date of hearing, March 16. The Bench asked its registry to keep in a sealed cover the CBI status report on the progress of investigation so far. It also directed listing of a special leave petition filed by advocate Ajay K. Agrawal against the orders of stay of arrest of Ms. Mayawati and other accused by the Allahabad High Court at the next hearing.

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