New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has pulled up the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Archaeological Survey of India for filing misleading affidavits about the condition of heritage monuments in the capital, including several sites of deep significance to the Muslim community.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh condemned what it called “total callousness” and “suppression of facts” on the part of the MCD. The court found that photographs published in The Hindustan Times and The Times of India directly contradicted claims made by the MCD in a sworn affidavit stating that certain structures were free of encroachment and in a satisfactory state of conservation.
The proceedings stem from a 2019 Delhi High Court judgment initially concerning the Gumti of Shaikh Ali, a protected monument. The Supreme Court later expanded the matter to cover heritage sites across Delhi.
Petitioner Rajeev Suri placed the newspaper photographs on record, and the bench found a stark contrast between what the authorities had sworn before the court and the actual ground conditions. The court expressed serious concern, stating it was “unable to understand how such a stand could be taken before this Court by an organisation like the MCD.”
The court also noted similar conduct by the ASI regarding Atgah Khan’s Tomb, Gogabai’s Tomb, and Lal Chaubara, all of which carry historical and cultural weight for India’s Muslim heritage. The ASI’s affidavit on these sites was described as “belied by the photographs” appearing in the same newspapers.
The bench directed the Additional Commissioner of South Delhi MCD and the Director General of the ASI to appear in person and file personal show-cause affidavits. The Head of the Archaeological Department of the Government of NCT of Delhi has also been asked to file a personally affirmed affidavit. All replies must follow a fresh site inspection conducted in the presence of the Court Commissioner, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan.
The court also warned the State Archaeological Department and the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation that they will face individual and organisational accountability if they fail to properly monitor conservation work at the Gumti of Shaikh Ali.
The bench appreciated the reporting of journalists Paras Singh of Hindustan Times and Richi Verma of Times of India for “bringing into the public domain such disturbing ground reality.” The court directed the Commissioner to contact them for any further information.
The matter is next listed for October 7, 2026.
