Illegal construction in Tughlakabad: HC seeks govt’s reply

A plea seeking demolition of a factory allegedly built illegally on government land near the ‘protected’ area of historic Tughlakabad village here, has led the Delhi High Court to seek the response of the government and the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal issued notices to the government and the ASI asking them to file their response by January 13, the next date of hearing.

The plea has alleged that a factory has been built illegally on government land in Tughlakabad and the concerned authorities should restore the possession of land to ASI.

It claimed that despite Supreme Court’s February 2016 order declaring the entire area of Tughlakabad as protected, illegal construction was still being carried out there.

“The Supreme Court has also directed the ASI not to allow any such land grabbing/encroachment in the said protected area and public land. But despite this direction, the aforesaid ...was able to build unauthorised construction on the aforesaid land falling within the protected area of ASI,” the petition, filed by Vikas Bakshi, president of an NGO, said.

During the hearing on the plea, advocate Shakil Akhtar, appearing for the petitioner, referred to the February 4 apex court order describing the Tughlakabad Fort as one of national importance and declaring it a protected monument.

The petitioner also alleged that he had filed complaints with the authorities but no action has yet been taken.