New Delhi, Nov 14: The Supreme Court today sought Centre's view on a suggestion for independent experts testing Archaeological Survey of India's ongoing conservation and restoration work at the 17th century Mughal monument Red Fort in the light of allegations that it was not in tune with international norms. A bench comprising Chief Justice V N Khare and Justice S B Sinha asked Solicitor General Kirit N Raval to ascertain by November 21 the view of the Centre which nearly a year ago started conservation work to rid the monument of illegal encroachments and give it a fresh look.

Appearing for the petitioner Rajeev Sethi and others, senior advocate Anil Divan pointed out several flaws in the manner in which the conservation work was being carried out and suggested names of two conservation architects Anuradha Chaturvedi and Nalini Thakur with Dr O P Agrawal for independent verification of ASI's work. Raval said ASI's reputation as a premier organisation in the field of conserving and restoring historical monuments was unparalleled which bore testimony from the fact that it had been assigned similar jobs at Angkor Vat Temple in Cambodia and Bamiyan in Afghanistan in the past.
He said contrary to the allegations levelled by the petitioners, meticulous documentation of each and every stage of restoration and conservation work was being prepared by the experts of ASI leaving no room for doubt as to the process undertaken was of international standards.

Bureau Report