The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) informed the Supreme Court on December 13, 2024, that it would submit a survey report on the religious structures within the Mehrauli Archaeological Park in Delhi within a week. This report is part of a plea seeking the protection of centuries-old religious monuments located in the park.
The Case and Legal Background
The case was being heard by a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar. The plea challenges a Delhi High Court order that declined to issue specific directions for the protection of religious structures, including the 13th-century Ashiq Allah Dargah (1317 AD) and the Chillagah of Baba Farid, located within the Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
In July 2024, the Supreme Court bench had directed the ASI and the National Monument Authority (NMA) to submit status reports on the matter.
ASI’s Update to the Supreme Court
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Natraj, representing the ASI, informed the bench that the report was ready and would be filed within a week. The CJI recorded this submission and scheduled the next hearing for February 2025. The bench noted:
“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.”
Previous Court Directives
Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the petitioners and relevant authorities to present their cases to a court-constituted Religious Committee. The decision made by this committee was to be submitted before any implementation.
Concerns Raised in the Petition
The plea before the Delhi High Court raised concerns about the potential demolition of the Ashiq Allah Dargah and Chillagah of Baba Farid by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), following the demolition of a 600-year-old mosque, Masjid Akhonji, in January 2024. The DDA had also demolished Madrasa Bahrul Uloom and several graves in the same area.
The High Court dismissed the matter after recording an undertaking from the government authorities that no protected or national monuments would be demolished. The court also noted the issue of unauthorized encroachments and emphasized the need to balance heritage preservation with urban development.
Appeal to the Supreme Court
Dissatisfied with the High Court’s order, an individual named Zameer Ahmed Jumlana approached the Supreme Court, challenging the decision and arguing against the demolition of the historic structures.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What did the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) inform the Supreme Court on December 13, 2024?
- A) It would demolish the religious structures in Mehrauli
- B) It would submit a survey report on the religious structures in Mehrauli Archaeological Park within a week
- C) It would seek protection for the religious structures
- D) It would file a plea for the preservation of the mosque in Mehrauli
- Which structures are at the center of the legal dispute in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park?
- A) Ashiq Allah Dargah and Chillagah of Baba Farid
- B) Masjid Akhonji and Madrasa Bahrul Uloom
- C) Red Fort and Qutub Minar
- D) Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb
- When is the next hearing for the case scheduled?
- A) December 2024
- B) January 2025
- C) February 2025
- D) March 2025
- What was the Delhi High Court’s response to the plea for protection of the religious structures?
- A) Ordered immediate demolition
- B) Refused to pass specific directions for protection
- C) Ordered the structures to be relocated
- D) Directed the ASI to demolish the structures
- Who filed the plea before the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s order?
- A) The Delhi Development Authority
- B) Zameer Ahmed Jumlana
- C) The Archaeological Survey of India
- D) The National Monument Authority