The Hindu : National : Court declines to modify order on Taj night viewing

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Friday, Jan 21, 2005

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National

Court declines to modify order on Taj night viewing

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 20. The Supreme Court today declined to modify its November 2004 order permitting the Uttar Pradesh Government to allow night viewing of the historic Taj Mahal, to visitors on moonlit nights for five days a month.

A three-judge Bench, comprising Justice Ruma Pal, Justice S. B. Sinha and Justice S. H. Kapadia, declined to review its order on the basis of a report filed by the Court Commissioner, Kishan Mahajan, alleging serious security lapses by the authorities when the Taj was thrown open for night viewing.

After hearing the State Government's counsel, Ashok Desai, the Archaeological Survey of India and the Central Industrial Security Force (entrusted with the custody and security of the monument), the Bench said it was satisfied with the security arrangements and would not withdraw its permission.

The Bench said the security staff posted at the monument was frisking every visitor and the kind of security check suggested by Mr. Mahajan was not possible.

The Judges, however, made it clear that the Government, the ASI and the CISF should comply with its directions on security.

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