Latest news with #AMASRAct
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
SC asks Delhi government to issue order declaring Lodhi-era 'Gumti of Shaikh Ali' protected monument
In a significant step, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi government to issue a fresh notification to declare the historic, Lodhi-era monument "Gumti of Shaikh Ali" as a protected monument under the law. The two-judge bench of the top court, headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, passed the direction to the Delhi govt after hearing an appeal filed by Defence Colony resident Rajeev Suri, who sought a direction to declare the Gumti as a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act). Suri had knocked the doors of the apex court after his plea was earlier dismissed by the Delhi High Court. During the course of the hearing on Wednesday, the top court went through some report filed by the Delhi government, including a notification and clarified that it was not 'happily (properly) worded'. 'Let the notification (to declare the monument as a protected one under the law) be re-issued by the Delhi government,' the bench told the Delhi govt. Making it clear that there should not be any illegal structures or encroachments near the area, the court asked the authorities to demolish the illegal structures, if any, inside the monument site. It directed the court commissioner to visit and inspect the concerned area and apprise the bench about the work undertaken in pursuance of the directions issued.
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
SC asks Delhi govt to issue order declaring Lodhi-era 'Gumti of Shaikh Ali' protected monument
In a significant step, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi government to issue a fresh notification to declare the historic, Lodhi-era monument "Gumti of Shaikh Ali" as a protected monument under the law. The two-judge bench of the top court, headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, passed the direction to the Delhi govt after hearing an appeal filed by Defence Colony resident Rajeev Suri, who sought a direction to declare the Gumti as a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act). Suri had knocked the doors of the apex court after his plea was earlier dismissed by the Delhi High Court. During the course of the hearing on Wednesday, the top court went through some report filed by the Delhi government, including a notification and clarified that it was not 'happily (properly) worded'. 'Let the notification (to declare the monument as a protected one under the law) be re-issued by the Delhi government,' the bench told the Delhi govt. Making it clear that there should not be any illegal structures or encroachments near the area, the court asked the authorities to demolish the illegal structures, if any, inside the monument site. It directed the court commissioner to visit and inspect the concerned area and apprise the bench about the work undertaken in pursuance of the directions issued.
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
SC directs Delhi government to reissue notification declaring Lodhi-era ‘Gumti of Shaikh Ali' a protected monument
NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi government to issue a fresh notification declaring the historic Lodhi-era monument "Gumti of Shaikh Ali" as a protected monument under the law. The two-judge bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, passed the direction while hearing an appeal filed by Defence Colony resident Rajeev Suri. Suri had sought the court's intervention to declare the Gumti a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act), after the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition. During the hearing, the bench examined a report submitted by the Delhi government, which included a previously issued notification. However, the court observed that the notification was not 'happily worded' and thus required reissuance. 'Let the notification (to declare the monument as a protected one under the law) be re-issued by the Delhi government,' the bench directed.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Declare Lodhi-era 'Gumti of Shaikh Ali' protected monument: Supreme Court to Delhi government
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) directed the Delhi government to issue a fresh notification to declare the Lodhi-era monument "Gumti of Shaikh Ali" a protected monument under law. The dispute over the monument came to limelight when the top court directed the Defence Colony resident welfare association to vacate its structures and pay ₹40 lakh to the archaeology department of the Delhi government as compensation for occupying the historical place since the 1960s. A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah was hearing a plea filed by Defence Colony resident Rajeev Suri, who sought to have the Gumti declared a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act). The plea was filed in the top court after the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea in 2019. The top court has been regularly passing directions to ensure the removal of encroachments, illegal occupation, and beautification of the monument and its surrounding area. On Wednesday (July 16, 2025), the bench examined a Delhi government notification and said it was not 'happily worded'. 'Let the notification (to declare the monument as a protected one under the law) be re-issued by the Delhi government,' the bench said. Protected monuments under the AMASR Act benefit from legal protection, conservation efforts, and restrictions on activities around them to ensure their preservation for future generations. Such monuments are safeguarded against damage, destruction, and unauthorized construction or excavation in their vicinity. The bench asked the authorities to demolish the illegal structures inside the monument area. The bench also asked the court commissioner to inspect the area and apprise the bench about the work undertaken in pursuance of the directions issued. It asked the authorities, including the archaeology department, to make and execute plans to beautify and preserve the monument and its surrounding areas. The bench previously directed the MCD and others to remove all encroachments around "Gumti of Shaikh Ali". It also ordered the MCD and DJB to vacate and hand over their office spaces to the Land and Development Office. The bench subsequently reprimanded the MCD for continuing to operate an office near the monument and granted 48 hours to it to clear the site of 'lock, stock, and barrel'.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Will set up audio-visual guides in Shaniwarwada: Shekhawat
Pune: Union minister of culture and tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat 's visit to Shaniwarwada on Thursday raised the hope of history buffs with his announcement of using technology to enhance the visitor experience. However, it also brought disappointment to the residents living within 100m of the monument, as he did not announce any relief to allow construction activity in the vicinity. The Union minister, after his visit to the monument, assured of helping in the restoration work as per the existing rules. "We will use modern technology such as the audio-visual guide system to enhance visitor experience," he said. According to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958, no construction activity is permitted within 100 meters of a heritage site. Over 1,000 properties with more than 30,000 residents reside within 100m of Shaniwarwada. They are unable to get permission to redevelop the old wadas, which are in a dilapidated state. Shekhawat was accompanied by Rajya Sabha member Medha Kulkarni and a few local residents. The minister, while speaking to mediapersons, said, "The rule is as per AMASR Act. It is not limited to only one monument but is applicable across the country. I appeal to all citizens to support the govt to protect such heritage sites by abiding by the laws." Shekhawat visited Shaniwarwada following the request of Kulkarni, who took up the issue of restoration of the monument. "It is such an important monument in the history of the Maratha empire. We have been requesting the govt to take some steps for its restoration so that the future generations know the history," Kulkarni said.
