The PIL has been filed by Mohammad Kamran, chairman of the Civilian Welfare Charitable Trust, alleging that construction and encroachment around Jama Masjid has been going on in a haphazard manner and without adherence to norms, thereby emerging as a major cause of air pollution in the city.
“The petition reflects the inaction or non-action on the part of the Archeological Survey of India, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Short as INTACH) ,North Delhi Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central District) officials for failing in its duty to put an end to the unauthorized or illegal construction in the surrounding of respective Monuments of our Country as well as Heritage Building declared by the concerned authorities/departments in area of Jama Masjid,, Turkman Gate, Kashmiri gate, Ajmeri Gate,” the plea said.
It was argued that the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR) of 1958 aims to preserve, conserve, protect and maintain the monuments, archaeological sites and their surrounding areas up to a distance of 300 meters.
No construction or reconstruction is permitted in an area of up to a distance of 100 meters, the petition stated.
Despite these provisions, the plea points out that unauthorised construction has been going on around the outer walls of the Jama Masjid.
Source: Barandbench
