Delhi’s fading historical landmarks have now drawn sharp scrutiny from the Supreme Court, which has warned police officials that negligence in protecting heritage structures could invite personal consequences, including suspension.
Hearing a plea linked to the encroachment of the Lodhi-era Gumti of Shaikh Ali, a Bench led by Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N Kotiswar Singh directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure that every local Station House Officer actively safeguards protected monuments and historically significant sites from vandalism, illegal occupation, theft and structural damage.
The Bench made it clear that accountability would not stop at the police station level. It cautioned that if court directions were ignored or officers were protected despite lapses, even senior officials, including the Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioners concerned, could face direct action from the Court.
The observations came during proceedings in a petition filed by Delhi resident Rajeev Suri. The Court had earlier sought assistance from noted historian and heritage expert Swapna Liddle, who submitted a report accompanied by photographs documenting encroachments, damaged structures and neglected monuments across the capital.
Several of the images reportedly showed poor upkeep of heritage sites located within premises controlled by the Delhi Golf Club and Panchsheel Public School.
The judges expressed disbelief that historically significant monuments had been handed over to private entities in the first place. During the hearing, counsel for the New Delhi Municipal Council argued that maintenance responsibility rested with the Delhi Golf Club as the lessee of the land.
The Court, however, appeared unconvinced. Referring to photographs placed on record, the Bench remarked that the monuments looked completely abandoned and criticised the civic body for failing to supervise whether preservation obligations were being fulfilled.
Calling the conduct a reflection of “gross negligence” and institutional casualness, the Court directed the NDMC Chairperson to personally appear before it on the next hearing date and explain the apparent lack of oversight.
Questions were also raised over the condition of the 14th-century Kharbooze Ka Gumbad in Sheikh Sarai. The Delhi government has been asked to clarify how the monument came under the control of Panchsheel Public School, what preservation conditions were imposed, and why authorities failed to ensure proper upkeep.
The matter is scheduled to be heard again on May 11 at 1 PM.
