Illegal encroachment near monuments: HC seeks Centre response

Delhi High Court today sought response of the government on an alleged illegal encroachment and unauthorised construction around a protected ancient monuments' site in the national capital.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw asked Archaeological Survey of India, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and North Delhi Municipal Corporation to inform it about the steps taken to prevent the "illegal encroachment".
"What steps you have (government and civic bodies) taken to stop illegal construction around the ancient monument," the court said, adding that the authority concerned should file an affidavit within four weeks indicating steps taken to prevent such encroachments in Christian Colony near Delhi University's north campus area.

The court has now fixed the matter for further hearing on April 22.
The court further said, "Who are responsible for illegal construction? This is prohibited under the law and no one can raise any illegal construction in and around the ancient monuments."
The court sought the response while hearing a PIL filed by Utsav Kumar, a former Delhi University student, which states that though the Christian Colony has been declared as a monument and protected under the Ancient Sites and Remains Act, all kinds of construction and repair work were rampant in the area.

On the issue of alleged harassment of students living there by police and anti-socials in the Christian Colony in north Delhi, the bench said there are other remedies available on that issue. "Have you lodged any complaint against anyone in this (harassment) regard to the police," the court asked.

The petitioner also requested the court to provide police protection for the Christian Colony's resident students from the goons of unknown landlords, hired to harass them.
Claiming unawareness about the real owners of the houses or properties, the plea alleges harassment from hired musclemen. "The unknown landlords have engaged musclemen and boxers and outsiders to intimidate, harass and physically harm the students and extract money from them in cash without issuing any receipts," it said.
The houses or properties are owned in benami (anonymous) names and the musclemen and boxers often target students, particularly those belonging to the Northeast and Scheduled Castes," the PIL alleged.