Demarcate Archaeological Park from Waqf land: HC to govt

Delhi High Court today directed the city government to demarcate the area of the Mehrauli Archaeological Park in South Delhi from the waqf land within four weeks.
A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva asked Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out renovation of the tomb of Khan Shahid - son of Ghiyas ud din Balban, the ninth sultan of the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi.
It made it clear that ASI's work would be limited to renovation of the tomb, claimed by Delhi Waqf Board (DWB) as its property, and not alter the possession or ownership status of the structure. It also said the DWB would not interfere in the renovation work.

The court said no further construction would be carried out in any of the monuments, which were the subject matter of the plea for preserving and protecting the park, and any such work would be carried out by ASI or Delhi government.
The court asked Delhi government to undertake the demarcation after Delhi Development Authority (DDA) said the city government has to carry out the exercise as the revenue records were with it.
The court, thereafter, asked Delhi government to carry out demarcation by the "total station method" and directed DDA and DWB to extend their cooperation.
The matter was listed for further hearing on August 5.

The bench issued the directions while hearing a plea filed by an NGO, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) which has sought that the Archaeological Park, spread over 100 acres and having about 80 monuments, be "preserved, protected and maintained".