ASI To Submit Survey Report In Supreme Court On Religious Structures In Mehrauli Archeological Park

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) today (December 13) informed the Supreme Court that it would file within a week, the survey report of the religious structures inside the Mehrauli Archaeological Park in Delhi, in plea seeking their protection.

The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing a challenge against the Delhi High Court's order, which refused to pass specific directions for protecting centuries-old religious structures inside the Mehrauli Archaeological Park in Delhi, including the 13th-century Ashiq Allah Dargah (1317 AD) and Chillagah of Baba Farid.

In July the bench impleaded the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and sought status reports from the ASI and the National Monument Authority (NMA).

Additional Solicitor General KM Natraj appeared for the ASI and informed that while the report is ready it would be filed within a week's time. The CJI recorded his submission as follows :

"ASG Natraj for ASI states that ASI report is ready and will be filed within 1 week. relist in the week commencing 24 Feb, 2025"

Previously, the Top Court had directed the petitioners and authorities to make their representations to a court-constituted Religious Committee first. The decision taken by the Religious Committee was to be placed on record before its implementation.

Matter will now be heard in February 2025.

Background

The plea before the high court raised the apprehension that the dargah and the chillagah in Mehrauli will be demolished soon by the Delhi Development Authority in view of the fact that a 600-year-old mosque, Masjid Akhonji, was demolished by the Delhi Development Authority in January, along with Madrasa Bahrul Uloom and various graves.

The High Court disposed of the matter after recording the government authority's undertaking that no protected monument or national monument would be demolished. In its order, the division bench led by Justice Manmohan also made observations regarding unauthorised encroachments and the need to balance the right to heritage and the right to breathe.

Challenging the High Court's order, an individual named Zameer Ahmed Jumlana moved to the apex court, arguing against the demolition of the historic structures.

To read our detailed story on the plea filed before the Supreme Court, click here

Case Details: Zameer Ahmed Jumlana v. Delhi Development Authority (DDA) & Ors. | Diary No. 6711 of 2024

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