HC seeks DDA's response on plea for Sheesh Mahal's maintenance

The Delhi High Court today sought response of the DDA on a plea highlighting dilapidated condition of 17th century monument Sheesh Mahal here.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the DDA on the petition which claimed that the area around the monument, including a park and orchards, has been declared as a green belt area under the Delhi Master Plan, 2021, and illegal encroachment was being done there.
The court listed matter for further hearing on February 13 next year.
Seeking direction to the authorities to repair and carry out maintenance to preserve Sheesh Mahal, situated in Shalimar Bagh village in north west Delhi, the plea alleged there was no provision for adequate security of people in the park, where Aurangzeb was crowned emperor in Sheesh Mahal on July 31, 1658.

It alleged that the influence of goons was increasing in the area and there was no maintenance of the park and trees were illegally uprooted and cut.
The plea claimed that the green belt protected by the DDA was facing encroachment and illegal parking was done by local transporters.
It claimed a huge budget of Rs 1.44 crore was allocated for maintenance of the area and Rs 2.09 crore on deployment of security guards but there was no safety.