The Supreme Court on Wednesday raps the Centre and Uttar Pradesh Government over the protection of the Taj Mahal and said, "either we will shut down the Taj or you demolish or restore it."
The apex court came down heavily on the Centre and state over deteriorating condition of the historical monument.
"You preserve it, or else we will close it or destroy it, " the Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Madan Bhimrao Lokur, observed.
The Green Bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta made the statement while hearing the verdict.
Earlier in May, the Supreme Court pulled the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) up for not taking care of the Taj Mahal.
In February and March this year, the apex court had also issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre to submit a draft vision document on how they wish to protect the Taj Mahal.
The apex court was hearing a plea filed by environmentalist M.C. Mehta, seeking protection of the historical monument. The court has also ordered demolition of a multi-level car parking facility near the Taj.
The court had already asked Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) authority to come up with a comprehensive action plan to protect the 17th century-built Mughal mausoleum.
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