New Delhi, Nov 28: The Centre today informed the Supreme Court that the renovation and restoration work of 17th century Mughal monument Red Fort has been suspended and the objections raised by a petition about the standard of ongoing work has been referred to an expert committee. Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Kirit N Raval submitted before a bench comprising Chief Justice V N Khare and Justice S B Sinha that the committee of experts including eminent conservationists would look into the objections as well as suggest a holistic plan in view of the decision of the army to give back large areas in red fort under its control.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, who was appointed amicus curiae by the court to assist in the matter, said he had inspected the renovation work being carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and said that he would file an application seeking certain direction by December 8.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioner, said that the work being carried out by ASI was not in conformity with the international standards of renovation and sought stay of the work. Declining to stay the work in view of the undertaking given by the Solicitor General, the bench asked the Centre and the petitioner to reply to that application and posted the matter for further hearing on December 12.

Bureau Report