Delhi HC Says Parks Around Jama Masjid Will Become 'Garbage Land' Due To Encroachment

The Delhi high court has expressed concern over the illegal and unauthorised encroachment of public parks situated around Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Tomb and Meena Bazaar Market in Jama Masjid area of the city.

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla have ordered the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to ensure that all illegal encroachments are removed and the area is kept neat and clean.

The development ensued in a petition filed by a resident, Mohd. Arsalan.

File Photo

The counsel appearing for the NDMC informed the Court that they had passed a speaking order, assuring that any Illegal or unauthorized occupation will be removed, reported Livelaw.

"Are these matters to be looked at only through your correspondence or some groundwork will also be done? You file a report and show us what's done," the court said.

The petitioner has also sought the removal of rain basera or shelter homes from all the public parks constructed by the DUSIB.

No illegal construction around Jama Masjid

Earlier, the Delhi high court directed the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and Archaeological Survey of India to ensure that no further illegal construction takes place around Jama Masjid and the Walled City area of Old Delhi.

The petition was filed by Civilian Welfare Charitable Trust before the court alleged rampant illegal construction and encroachment around Jama Masjid, Turkman Gate, Kashmere Gate and Ajmeri Gate.

Kashmere Gate

It was argued before the court that no construction or reconstruction is to be permitted around the ancient monuments in the areas but authorities have failed to act against the violations.

¡°The ASI in abdication of its statutory functions to protect and maintain the monuments and heritage properties under the Ancient Monuments and Preservation Act is maintaining a stoic silence over continued illegal construction that is taking place in and around the city,¡± reads the petition.

The plea mentions details about 24 ¡°illegal constructions¡± in Old Delhi and states that NDMC has granted building plan sanction in prohibited radius under the law.

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