Punjab and Haryana High Court disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed seeking direction to the respondents to take steps for preservation and protection of the Haveli Todar Mal (Jahaz Mahal), Fatehgarh Sahib and also for removing the illegal constructions raised by SGPC, Sri Amritsar Sahib (respondent No.3) within the premises of the monument.
Anu Pal , Senior Deputy Advocate General, Punjab, referred to the short reply dated 18.12.2023, filed by way of affidavit of the Additional Secretary, Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums, Punjab, whereby copy of a letter dated 14.12.2010 addressed to respondent No.3 has been placed on record. Vide the said letter, respondent No.3 – SGPC was asked to conserve and restore the monument, as it became owner of the land on which the monument was constructed.
The respondents – State have also placed on record inspection report dated 30.12.2013 whereby the conservation work of the monument was found satisfactory. The State counsel, while referring to the Minutes of Meeting dated 05.12.2023 submits that a meeting under the Chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab, was held on 05.12.2023, which was also attended by the petitioner and respondent No.3.
A decision was taken to hire an agency/team specialized in the conservation of ancient buildings for the conservation of the monument. It was further agreed that the members of the heritage foundation, the petitioner and the District administration will jointly visit the monument and the Engineer of the Department will be present there.
The counsel for respondent No.3 informed the Court that after the monument is restored, it will be utilized for tourism purposes as per the guidelines issued by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Since a decision has already been taken for conservation of the monument by hiring an agency/team, the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Nidhi Gupta held that no further direction is required to be issued in the petition.