Delhi High Court Directs ASI, Municipal Corporations To Prevent Unauthorized Constructions Around Jama Masjid

The Delhi High Court today issued notice on a petition filed against alleged illegal constructions and encroachment around several "protected monuments" in Jama Masjid area of Delhi.

The Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sangh and Justice Navin Chawla has directed the Respondent authorities, particularly the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, South Delhi Municipal Corporation and the Archaeological Survey of India to ensure that further illegal construction does not take place in the areas detailed in the writ petition.

Further, the SHO of the Police Station concerned has been directed to ensure "strict compliance" of the court orders.

The direction comes in a plea filed by Mohd. Kamran, Chairman of the Civilian Welfare Charitable Trust.

It was alleged that large scale unauthorized construction is ongoing around Jama Masjid, without any regard to the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 which prohibits construction within 100 meters of the protected monument.

The Petitioner had also placed on record several photographs to show the "lackadaisical condition" in which monuments were lying, as also construction being undertaken in immediate vicinity of the monuments, the Court noted in its order.

The Court has issued notices to all the Respondents, including ASI.

The matter will now be heard on July 14.

Case Title: Civilian Welfare Charitable Trust v. Union of India