In a significant ruling on Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India has mandated the removal of all encroachments surrounding the Lodhi-era monument ‘Gumti of Shaikh Ali,’ located in Defence Colony. The decision targets both the Central Government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), emphasizing the urgent need for preservation efforts.
A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah has directed the MCD to vacate its engineering department office within the monument premises and transfer control to the Land and Development Office within two weeks. This move is part of a broader initiative to restore the integrity of this historical site.
Additionally, the Court has tasked the local deputy commissioner of police (DCP) and DCP (traffic) with conducting daily surveillance to ensure strict adherence to the clearance order.
The Supreme Court’s focus on this case intensified following a report from Swapna Liddle, former convener of the Delhi chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. Liddle had been appointed by the court to assess the damage to the monument and propose restoration measures.
In a related directive, the Defence Colony Resident Welfare Association (RWA) has been ordered to pay Rs 40 lakh as compensation for its unauthorized occupation of the monument for over six decades. The apex court granted the RWA an extension until May 14 to comply with the financial penalty, following its initial ruling on March 25.
The hearing stems from a petition by Rajiv Suri, a local resident, who has been advocating for the monument’s recognition and protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958. Despite the Delhi High Court’s refusal in 2019 to declare the structure a protected monument, the Supreme Court has now taken decisive action, including a directive for a CBI investigation into the RWA’s long-term occupation and alterations to the structure.
