The Delhi High Court in the case Sanjay Kumar Vashist v. Union of India And Ors observed and has issued notice on the public interest litigation moved seeking eviction of traders allegedly carrying out illegal encroachment on various ‘heritage properties’ which is situated in the area of Chandni Chowk.
The Division bench comprising of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula in the case observed and seek response of the Union Ministry of Culture, Delhi Development Authority, Archaeological Survey of India, National Monuments Authority, Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation and the Heritage Conservation Committee. In the present case, the plea is moved by one Sanjay Kumar Vashist, an old resident of Chandi Chowk area, wherein it is alleged that he has been witnessing illegal encroachers who are running business in the heritage properties without any permission from any Government body and subsequently destroying the same by erecting constructions. It has been stated by Vashist that the properties which are situated at Chah Rahat in the Vakilpura area were declared as heritage properties vide notification issued on 29.07.2016 in the category III in the form of haveli. It being the case of the petitioner that the properties will be lost during the course of time if they are not being protected and that no signs of the rich cultural heritage will be left for the future generations.
The plea moved stated that very naturally the questions arise in mind that if the owners of the subject property could not be traced and who gave the subject properties to the current tenants who are literally changing the nature of the properties with regards to the sake of business. Thus, these properties need to be protected in relation to preserve the rich history of Delhi.Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on December 07, 2023.
The counsel, Advocate Indira Goswami, Advocate Sumit Mishra, Advocate Anamika, and Advocate Sitwat Nabi appeared for the petitioner.
The counsel, CGSC Vineet Dhanda appeared for Union of India.