New Delhi, Oct 13: This could well be another sob story about illegal construction supported by the corruption that exists in our bureaucracy. Unfortunately, it is. More unfortunate is the fact that by the time you read this story, the construction in question will have been completed. The location? A stone's throw away from Jama Masjid. The issue? A cellphone tower built atop an unauthorised structure. Going back to the basics, the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, states that no new structures are to be built within 300 metres of any monument. Of course, these are rules that are openly flouted in the vicinity of the Jama Masjid simply because the authorities have decided to look the other way.


Which takes us to a cellphone tower being built on top of house no 953-954, Gali Shyam Lal Matia Mahal. The Jama Masjid looms just across the road, 200 metres away. Allowing the building of a cellphone tower on top of your building means a handsome rent receivable every month.

In this case though the very building on which the tower is being built is also unauthorised.


In fact, nearby residents like Arshad Ali Fehmi, after immense persuasion, have managed to put in a complaint and force the reluctant police to register a case against the building owner under MCD laws. "The construction is still ongoing. It's a blatant violation of the law. How can they carry on with construction even though a case has been registered against them?" asks Arshad. "Please don't ask me," says Jama Masjid police station SHO Ranvir Singh.


Switch to DCP Central, Arvind Deep. "Because the building owner has got himself an NOC from the MCD," explains he. But how can MCD first recognise the structure as unauthorised in an ongoing case and then issue an NOC allowing construction on top of the very same building?

"Because they are two different things. Why don't you ask the MCD?" says Deep.


Cut to MCD Information Officer Yogendra Mann. "This is just not possible. This is contradictory. For one, the MCD cannot defy the Archaeological Act and second, if the building is unauthorised, there is no way that an NOC can be issued allowing construction. I don't think an NOC has been issued," admits Mann.

Back to DCP Deep. "I am certain we have an NOC," says he.


Can we take a look then? "No, these are official papers," he tells us.
DCP Deep also lets us know that of the controversial property 953-954 (two structures under one owner), 953 has been cleared by Junior Engineer MCD as "an old and occupied property which is commercial in nature". Therefore, there is absolutely no problem with constructing a tower on top of it.

Only problem is, the tower is being built on top of number 954. This, as Arshad Ali points out, is just one of the cases which show up the unholy nexus between the police and people who seem to have no respect for the rule of law. He has been writing letters to the Commissioner of Police as well as the MCD since May this year, explaining the deplorable condition of his neighbourhood... but to no avail.

"They seem to think that since this is a minority area, it should be left alone. What they don't realise is that there are many educated residents like us here who want a decent life," says Arshad.

Residents claim that there aren't enough policemen on patrol. Apparently, 60 per cent of Jama Masjid police post staff have been deployed for security of the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid. "We can understand the Imam needs security. But why should everyone else in his family also be provided policemen for their security?" asks a resident.


The streets leading up to the mosque are encroached upon by numerous vendors, while policemen sit around and watch the chaos. "We pay around Rs 100 per stall to the cops," admits a vendor. This apart from the fact that cops are allowed free meals at any of the restaurants. Perhaps being a cop in Delhi is the best career option after all. Any takers?