In a first, court orders attachment of ASI office for non-payment of adequate land compensation
'According to the court, we have not given proper compensation to the villagers from whom we acquired land for the conservation of the site,' said Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu, Joint Director General (monument) and spokesperson of ASI.
The matter is related to the land acquisition in Dholavira, a UNESCO heritage site. This Harappan city in Gujarat falls under the Rajkot circle of the ASI.
New Delhi: A five-member team of the Principal Senior Civil Judge Court Kutch came to Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) Rajkot circle to attach its office on 11 June. It's the first time in India that a court has ordered the attaching of an ASI office.
Sahu said ASI acquired the over 100-acre piece of land in 2004, and then ASI gave compensation. 'But the villagers demanded more and went to the court for it. We have failed to give the amount, so the court ordered the attaching of our circle office,' said Sahu.
Dholavira is an important archaeological site at Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District. Its name is from a modern-day village a kilometre south of it.
The site was accorded UNESCO World Heritage status in July 2021. The site was discovered in 1968 by the archaeologist Jagatpati Joshi. The ASI had started excavating Dholavira in 1989. The site was excavated extensively between 1990 to 2005 under archaeologist RS Bisht.
'Occupied between ca. 3000-1500 BCE, the archaeological site, one of the best preserved urban settlements from the period in Southeast Asia, comprises a fortified city and a cemetery. A sophisticated water management system demonstrates the ingenuity of the Dholavira people in their struggle to survive and thrive in a harsh environment,' reads the UNESCO website.
The acquisition was part of efforts to protect and develop the site, an important Indus Valley civilisation site in India.
In 2009, ASI started the acquisition of more than 100 acres of land.
Also read: ASI's now calling researchers to crack a 100-year-old mystery—Indus Valley script
ASI's request
On 11 June this year, after the court's ruling, ASI director general requested the court in a written letter to give some time to the department. 'The ASI has demanded a time of 15 days to pay back the money,' said Sahu.
'Today on 11/06/2025, a team of court officials (5 members) led by DP Pandya, Principal Senior Civil Court, Rajkot appeared at Rajkot Divisional Office for seizure of movable property in compliance with the seizure order number Regular Civil Tamil No. 1/2023 to 9/2023 issued by the Hon'ble Court in the Dholavira land acquisition case. Along with this, the opposition lawyer KS Negi and some landowners of Dholavira village were also present. During this, Court Officer DP Pandya had a telephonic discussion with the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India. In this discussion, on the basis of the assurance of the Director General, an agreement was reached for additional 15 days for payment,' reads the letter, which ThePrint has accessed.
ThePrint reached out to the superintending archaeologist of Rajkot circle, AMV Subramanyam, but he refused to comment.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)
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The Print
6 hours ago
- The Print
In a first, court orders attachment of ASI office for non-payment of adequate land compensation
'According to the court, we have not given proper compensation to the villagers from whom we acquired land for the conservation of the site,' said Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu, Joint Director General (monument) and spokesperson of ASI. The matter is related to the land acquisition in Dholavira, a UNESCO heritage site. This Harappan city in Gujarat falls under the Rajkot circle of the ASI. New Delhi: A five-member team of the Principal Senior Civil Judge Court Kutch came to Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) Rajkot circle to attach its office on 11 June. It's the first time in India that a court has ordered the attaching of an ASI office. Sahu said ASI acquired the over 100-acre piece of land in 2004, and then ASI gave compensation. 'But the villagers demanded more and went to the court for it. We have failed to give the amount, so the court ordered the attaching of our circle office,' said Sahu. Dholavira is an important archaeological site at Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District. Its name is from a modern-day village a kilometre south of it. The site was accorded UNESCO World Heritage status in July 2021. The site was discovered in 1968 by the archaeologist Jagatpati Joshi. The ASI had started excavating Dholavira in 1989. The site was excavated extensively between 1990 to 2005 under archaeologist RS Bisht. 'Occupied between ca. 3000-1500 BCE, the archaeological site, one of the best preserved urban settlements from the period in Southeast Asia, comprises a fortified city and a cemetery. A sophisticated water management system demonstrates the ingenuity of the Dholavira people in their struggle to survive and thrive in a harsh environment,' reads the UNESCO website. The acquisition was part of efforts to protect and develop the site, an important Indus Valley civilisation site in India. In 2009, ASI started the acquisition of more than 100 acres of land. Also read: ASI's now calling researchers to crack a 100-year-old mystery—Indus Valley script ASI's request On 11 June this year, after the court's ruling, ASI director general requested the court in a written letter to give some time to the department. 'The ASI has demanded a time of 15 days to pay back the money,' said Sahu. 'Today on 11/06/2025, a team of court officials (5 members) led by DP Pandya, Principal Senior Civil Court, Rajkot appeared at Rajkot Divisional Office for seizure of movable property in compliance with the seizure order number Regular Civil Tamil No. 1/2023 to 9/2023 issued by the Hon'ble Court in the Dholavira land acquisition case. Along with this, the opposition lawyer KS Negi and some landowners of Dholavira village were also present. During this, Court Officer DP Pandya had a telephonic discussion with the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India. In this discussion, on the basis of the assurance of the Director General, an agreement was reached for additional 15 days for payment,' reads the letter, which ThePrint has accessed. ThePrint reached out to the superintending archaeologist of Rajkot circle, AMV Subramanyam, but he refused to comment. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
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Parsi Rise Under British Rule In colonial India, the Parsis found new opportunities. Their fluency in English, cosmopolitan outlook, and strong work ethic endeared them to British administrators. By the early 1800s, though their population in Bombay was under 10,000, Parsis owned more businesses than either Hindus or Europeans. They built schools, especially for girls, hospitals, libraries, and fire temples. Education and charity became hallmarks of the Parsi identity. Their contributions to the economy during this time were transformative. Textile mills, steel plants, shipyards, and banks bore the imprint of Parsi entrepreneurship. Their legacy includes names that remain towering pillars in the industrial and philanthropic landscape. After India's independence in 1947, the Parsi community, once concentrated in Gujarat and Mumbai, began to go global. Many moved to the UK, the US, and Canada in search of economic and academic opportunities. Meanwhile, Iranian Zoroastrians began their own wave of migration following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, fleeing another round of religious restrictions. Today, less than 2,00,000 Zoroastrians remain worldwide. Yet the diaspora continues to sustain a vibrant global identity, with India still home to the largest concentration, primarily in Mumbai and parts of Gujarat. Despite their dwindling numbers, Parsis have left an indelible mark on India's growth: Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata Group which today is a global powerhouse in steel, hospitality, IT, and more. Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons, redefined business with his leadership, ethics, and vision. Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Indian Member of British Parliament, exposed economic exploitation under colonial rule. Homi J Bhabha, father of India's nuclear program, laid the foundation for the nation's atomic energy. Cyrus Poonawalla, founder of the Serum Institute of India, led global vaccine production, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis. Fali S Nariman, one of the most respected jurists, influenced constitutional law and civil liberties. Ardeshir Godrej and Rustomji Modi revolutionised the manufacturing and steel industries. Today, the Parsi community faces demographic challenges – low fertility, intermarriage restrictions, and an aging population have led to population decline. But their legacy lives on in the legal system, science labs, and boardrooms. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
