After the Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to remove encroachments in the historic Tughlaqabad Fort, MCD officials along with ASI officials started removing the 'illegal structures', according to a report by the Indian Express.
On April 24, a bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, while hearing pleas against rampant encroachment in Tughlaqabad Fort, warned it will order personal appearance of top officials including the ASI director, MCD commissioners, the sub-divisional magistrate and senior police officers in the event of non-compliance with its directives.
It noted that in 2016 the Supreme Court had passed an order for removal of encroachments in the area and the ASI has already pasted 1248 notices on various structures within the fort.
The ASI expressed before the court its helplessness in removing the illegal structures on account of non-cooperation by other authorities.
Besides the MCD and the SDM, the court also asked the Delhi Police to provide necessary support to the ASI in removing the encroachments.
In case of non compliance, the court will direct appearance of the commissioner the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, ASI director, police commissioner and SDM, it added.
Earlier, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to identify land for the rehabilitation of victims ahead of the proposed demolition drive.
(With inputs from PTI)
