Supreme Court Criticizes MCD Over Neglect of Historic Delhi Monument

The Supreme Court of India sharply criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for its failure to maintain cleanliness and order around the Lodhi-era monument "Gumti of Shaikh Ali" in Delhi’s Defence Colony. A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and S V N Bhatti expressed frustration, noting that the MCD could swiftly clean the area for a dignitary’s visit but neglected court orders. "If a dignitary is coming, you will clean it in two hours and keep the area spick and span. Is this the respect you show to our orders?" the bench remarked, directing the MCD commissioner to appear in court by 3 PM to address the lapses and submit an action plan to rectify deficiencies highlighted by court commissioner Gopal Sankaranarayanan.

The court’s ire stemmed from a report by Sankaranarayanan, who inspected the site and found non-compliance with prior orders to preserve the monument. The bench summoned the MCD commissioner, emphasizing the communication gap and the MCD’s lack of good faith despite earlier leniency. The commissioner acknowledged issues, particularly regarding an unauthorized cemented portion, and assured its removal. The court ordered the MCD to appoint a senior official to monitor the site daily, sharing their details with Sankaranarayanan, and to submit a report by September 18 detailing officers responsible for non-compliance and actions taken against them. The court had previously prohibited construction of sports facilities within the monument’s premises and mandated the Delhi government to declare the Gumti a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act).

The case originated from a plea by Defence Colony resident Rajeev Suri, who sought protected status for the Gumti after the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea in 2019. The Supreme Court also addressed historical encroachments by the Defence Colony Resident Welfare Association, ordering them to vacate structures and pay Rs 40 lakh to the Delhi government’s archaeology department for occupying the site since the 1960s. The court’s ongoing directives aim to remove encroachments, prevent unauthorized construction, and ensure the monument’s preservation, aligning with the AMASR Act’s provisions to safeguard India’s cultural heritage for future generations.

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