New Delhi, Oct 27: The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Archaeological Survery of India and the Centre on a Public Interest Litigation alleging that the major restoration and conservation work carried out at the Mughal monument Red Fort was destroying the heritage building. A bench comprising Chief Justice V N Khare and Justice S B Sinha also issued notice to Union Ministry for culture and tourism on an application filed along with the PIL seeking stay of the conservation work. The petition filed by Rajeev Sethi and six others alleged that fundamental principles of conservation have been abandoned with regard to the so-called restoration work underway at Red Fort, which was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in the 17th century. "The restoration of the red fort is continuing with complete disregard for international standards of conservation, leading to the concealment, material alteration and/or destruction of the historical integrity and authentic morphology of the red fort," the petitioners alleged.


They alleged that Culture And Tourism Minister Jagmohan has not responded to their repeated letters pointing out the reported damage caused to the original work of the red fort through the restoration activities. "No remedial measures were taken with regard to the damage and destruction of historical evidence being caused by the so-called restoration work at red fort," they said.

Bureau Report