NEW DELHI: A 13th century building which has been pulled down partially by builders in the capital tells a story of neglect by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the civic authorities.
The Lal Mahal, built by Ghiyasuddin Balban in 1245, was not declared a protected structure by the ASI. Nor did the civic authorities take steps to ensure its safety, thus allowing builders to damage it.
The ASI, the main agency for the protection and conservation of monuments, put the ball in the court of civic authorities on Saturday, saying the agency cannot protect all monuments. “This structure should have been protected by the civic authorities or the state government,” ASI Delhi circle chief KK Mohammad said.
The site, located in the Nizamuddin area of the capital, has been partially demolished with its prominent chhatris and red sandstone structure being pulled down by the builders. Taking ‘moral responsibility’, the ASI has filed a first information report against the builders concerned.
“We have filed an FIR against the demolition of the historical monument,” Mohammed said. “It was a historically important monument but not a protected one. So we can’t do anything legally.”
A senior police officer said a complaint had been received and the force was looking into it.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said the builders had been ordered to stop construction at the site. “An unauthorised construction was coming up within 100m of the monument,” MCD spokesman Deep Mathur said. “When the matter was brought to our notice, senior officials visited the site and got the construction stopped.”
The MCD has also filed a separate FIR against the builders for the illegal construction. “Appropriate action would be taken against them in consultation with the ASI,” Mathur said. MCD city zone deputy commissioner Vijay Singh also visited the spot.
The Lal Mahal has immense significance in mediæval history as it had sheltered the famous Arab traveller Ibn Batuta in the 14th century.
