ASI gets foot in door as court lifts ban,looks at bigger plot

The stay order came after the Delhi State Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG),who earlier owned the land,moved the court against the Land and Development Office and others for demolishing its structures in the premises.

The Bench has now given the ASI liberty for “maintaining” the premises in accordance with the court’s earlier directives and law.

A senior ASI official said: “Yes,the court’s directive to lift the complete stay on any further activity has come as a major relief. We are however awaiting the final outcome of the case so that we are able to restore the Mughal complex and integrate it with the Humayun’s Tomb world heritage site by the Commonwealth Games.”

The tug-of-war
Nearly four years ago,a Supreme Court appointed monitoring committee had sealed the Bharatiyam Complex,after the BSG was found guilty of misusing the property by running commercial activities within the plot.

On January 7,the Ministry of Urban Development had handed over the plot to the ASI,ending a 12-year battle between the heritage body and the BSG. The transfer was meant to facilitate the conservation of the two Centrally-protected monuments on the premises and their integration with the Humayun’s Tomb.

The plot was de-sealed for the ASI to take over but before work could begin,the BSG reclaimed its office and filed a petition with the High Court.

The Bharatiyam Complex houses the Kunzru Stadium,Camp Office,VIP Room,Sports Complex,Bajpai Memorial Hall and the two Centrally-protected 17th Century monuments — Bada Batashewala Mahal and Chhota Batashewala Mahal.

The history
In 1989,when national children’s meet — Bharatiyam — was held in the complex,a number of modules (small hutments) were constructed temporarily for participants to stay on the premises.

After the event,however,the BSG rented out the modules to several organisations and institutes,including the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. In 2001,the Parkland Club entered into a collaboration with the BSG to build a club on over 1.5 acres of land and operate it on a commercial basis. Over the last few years,the modules have been home to at least seven families of the BSG employees. A Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee had,however,sealed it for misuse of property a few years ago.