Unauthorized construction near monument: HC seeks DDA, SDMC

The Delhi High Court has sought responses of DDA, Municipal Corporation of South Delhi (SDMC) and ASI on a plea alleging that an unauthorised building has been built within the 100-metre prohibited zone of Ala-ud-din Khilji's tomb in Hauz Khas village here.
A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva issued notices to Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and sought their replies by May 20, the next date of hearing.
The court directed them to file affidavits within a week, indicating whether the structure has been constructed in a prohibited area, that is within 100 metres of protected monument, and if yes, then why they have not taken any action against it.

"In this writ petition which has been filed in public interest, the petitioner has highlighted the fact that just next to the alleged Maqbara (tomb) of Alauddin Khilji, a building bearing House No.9 in village Haus Khas, New Delhi, has been constructed despite complaints by ASI.
"The counsel for South Delhi Municipal Corporation is present. The learned counsel for DDA is also present. They accept notice of this petition. They shall file affidavits indicating as to whether the said House No.9 has been constructed in a prohibited area or not. If so, they shall indicate as to why the said respondents did not take any action. The said affidavits be filed within a week," the court said.

The court was hearing a PIL alleging that the structure has been built in violation of norms near the monument and was also being used to run a beer bar.