The Hindu : National : Notice to Centre, ASI on removal of encroachments

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Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

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National

Notice to Centre, ASI on removal of encroachments

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 5. The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre and the Archaeological Survey of India on a petition seeking a direction to remove the encroachments from various monuments situated in the capital, including those in the Hazrat Nizamuddin complex.

A three-Judge Bench comprising Justice S. N. Variava, Justice A. R. Lakshmanan and Justice S.H. Kapadia issued the notice on an application filed by M.C. Mehta seeking a direction for removing encroachments from the monuments in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Lal Gumbaz, Ferozshah Kotla, Mubarak Shah tomb.

In the application, the petitioner said that on February 9, a mentally challenged man vandalised and desecrated the tomb of the 13th century poet Amir Khusrau.

Further, it said except putting up plaques in the Nizamuddin complex as protected monuments, the ASI had done very little work for the restoration, maintenance and security of the monuments, which represented unique specimens of art and culture.

It sought repair and restoration of the curved marble screen that was surrounding Amir Khusro's shrine; constitution of an expert committee/commission comprising an independent expert in the field of art and culture to visit the world heritage site and protected monuments in Delhi and submit an independent report with measures to be undertaken for their safety preservation and protection.

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