Monday 1 June 2015

DELHI HIGH COURT ASKS DDA, SDMC AND ASI ON UNAUTHORISED CONSTRUCTIONS NEAR MONUMENTS

UNAUTHORISED CONSTRUCTIONS
UNAUTHORISED CONSTRUCTIONS
The Delhi High Court in a case of an unauthorized building built within the 100-meter prohibited area of Ala-ud-din Khilji’s tomb in Hauz Khas village, has sought response from Delhi Development Authority (DDA, Municipal Corporation of South Delhi (SDMC) and also from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The Bench comprising of Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva issued notices to DDA, ASI and sought their replies before the next date of hearing. The Court further directed them to file affidavits within a week, indicating whether the structure has been constructed in a prohibited area that is within 100 meters of protected monument, and if yes, then as to why they have not taken any action against it.
It is observed that, in the Writ Petition filed in public interest, the Petitioener has highlighted the fact that just next to the alleged Maqbara (tomb) of Alauddin Khilji, a building bearing House No. 9 in the village Hauz Khas, New Delhi has been constructed despite complaints by ASI.  At the time of taking up the Writ Petition, the Counsel for the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) was present.  The learned Counsel for the DDA was also present.  They accepted the notice of the said Writ Petition; and agreed that they shall file affidavits indicating as to whether the said House No. 9 has been constructed within the prohibited area or not.  If so, they also shall have to indicate as to why the said Respondents did not take any action.  The said affidavits are required to be filed within a week”, the Court ordered.
The Court also observed while hearing the PIL filed alleging that the structure has been built in violation of norms near the Monument and was also being used to run a beer bar.
 

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