Latest news with #Gumti
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
SC asks Delhi government to issue order declaring Lodhi-era 'Gumti of Shaikh Ali' protected monument
In a significant step, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi government to issue a fresh notification to declare the historic, Lodhi-era monument "Gumti of Shaikh Ali" as a protected monument under the law. The two-judge bench of the top court, headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, passed the direction to the Delhi govt after hearing an appeal filed by Defence Colony resident Rajeev Suri, who sought a direction to declare the Gumti as a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act). Suri had knocked the doors of the apex court after his plea was earlier dismissed by the Delhi High Court. During the course of the hearing on Wednesday, the top court went through some report filed by the Delhi government, including a notification and clarified that it was not 'happily (properly) worded'. 'Let the notification (to declare the monument as a protected one under the law) be re-issued by the Delhi government,' the bench told the Delhi govt. Making it clear that there should not be any illegal structures or encroachments near the area, the court asked the authorities to demolish the illegal structures, if any, inside the monument site. It directed the court commissioner to visit and inspect the concerned area and apprise the bench about the work undertaken in pursuance of the directions issued.
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
SC asks Delhi govt to issue order declaring Lodhi-era 'Gumti of Shaikh Ali' protected monument
In a significant step, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi government to issue a fresh notification to declare the historic, Lodhi-era monument "Gumti of Shaikh Ali" as a protected monument under the law. The two-judge bench of the top court, headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, passed the direction to the Delhi govt after hearing an appeal filed by Defence Colony resident Rajeev Suri, who sought a direction to declare the Gumti as a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act). Suri had knocked the doors of the apex court after his plea was earlier dismissed by the Delhi High Court. During the course of the hearing on Wednesday, the top court went through some report filed by the Delhi government, including a notification and clarified that it was not 'happily (properly) worded'. 'Let the notification (to declare the monument as a protected one under the law) be re-issued by the Delhi government,' the bench told the Delhi govt. Making it clear that there should not be any illegal structures or encroachments near the area, the court asked the authorities to demolish the illegal structures, if any, inside the monument site. It directed the court commissioner to visit and inspect the concerned area and apprise the bench about the work undertaken in pursuance of the directions issued.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Declare Lodhi-era 'Gumti of Shaikh Ali' protected monument: Supreme Court to Delhi government
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) directed the Delhi government to issue a fresh notification to declare the Lodhi-era monument "Gumti of Shaikh Ali" a protected monument under law. The dispute over the monument came to limelight when the top court directed the Defence Colony resident welfare association to vacate its structures and pay ₹40 lakh to the archaeology department of the Delhi government as compensation for occupying the historical place since the 1960s. A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah was hearing a plea filed by Defence Colony resident Rajeev Suri, who sought to have the Gumti declared a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act). The plea was filed in the top court after the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea in 2019. The top court has been regularly passing directions to ensure the removal of encroachments, illegal occupation, and beautification of the monument and its surrounding area. On Wednesday (July 16, 2025), the bench examined a Delhi government notification and said it was not 'happily worded'. 'Let the notification (to declare the monument as a protected one under the law) be re-issued by the Delhi government,' the bench said. Protected monuments under the AMASR Act benefit from legal protection, conservation efforts, and restrictions on activities around them to ensure their preservation for future generations. Such monuments are safeguarded against damage, destruction, and unauthorized construction or excavation in their vicinity. The bench asked the authorities to demolish the illegal structures inside the monument area. The bench also asked the court commissioner to inspect the area and apprise the bench about the work undertaken in pursuance of the directions issued. It asked the authorities, including the archaeology department, to make and execute plans to beautify and preserve the monument and its surrounding areas. The bench previously directed the MCD and others to remove all encroachments around "Gumti of Shaikh Ali". It also ordered the MCD and DJB to vacate and hand over their office spaces to the Land and Development Office. The bench subsequently reprimanded the MCD for continuing to operate an office near the monument and granted 48 hours to it to clear the site of 'lock, stock, and barrel'.
New Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Komal Kumar takes on dual shades in Sangeetha Bar and Restaurant
Actor Komal Kumar is all set to appear before audiences in a brand-new avatar in Sangeetha Bar and Restaurant, a film that blends comedy, fantasy, and spiritual themes. Going by the recently released poster featuring the actor in a quirky Superman-inspired look, it is clear that the film will have an unconventional narrative. Directed by Sandesh Shetty Ajri, known for Kathale Kone, Inaamdaar, and Gumti, the film is produced by Vikas S Shetty under the Jyothi Productions banner. Sandesh has also written the story and screenplay. 'This is a story that runs across two timelines. Komal plays a modern-day Superman figure, but there's a deeper spiritual connection as well. He also portrays a failed filmmaker, and we explore his dual journey, comic in the first half, and subtly spiritual in the second. He even appears as an artist, like a painter,' Sandesh explains.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Encroached, altered, forgotten: 14th-century Delhi's Gumti tomb set to reclaim its legacy
The Delhi government has commenced conservation of the Lodi-era Gumti tomb of Shaikh Ali, previously occupied by the Defence Colony Welfare Association. NEW DELHI: Delhi govt's archaeology department has initiated conservation work on the historic Gumti tomb of Shaikh Ali, located at the Defence Colony market roundabout. The tomb, constructed during the Lodi period in the late 14th or early 15th century, underwent inappropriate modifications in the 1990s when it was transformed into the office of the Defence Colony Welfare Association (DCWA). Following years of unauthorised occupation, the Supreme Court instructed the Defence Colony Residents' Welfare Association (DCRWA) on Jan 21 to vacate the premises and restore the site. On April 17, the archaeology department wrote to the executive engineer of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Ltd to take up the conservation and restoration work of the monument immediately and submit the status report before the next court hearing on May 14. DCRWA was ordered to pay Rs 40 lakh as compensation, which was submitted to the archaeology department on May 7. On May 13, the department also submitted a detailed restoration plan to the court, with the time for completion of the project estimated at six months. The restoration began this month. It involves the removal of modern additions like brick walls, plaster, wooden elements, windows, doors, false ceilings, tiles, toilet facilities, parking shed and pavements to uncover and preserve the tomb's original structure. The project encompasses conservation of the external dome, replacement of damaged lime plaster, restoration of stone brackets, archaeological excavation, plinth protection, chemical preservation, and finally, illumination of the monument and installation of CCTV cameras. Environmentalist Bhavreen Kandhari was happy. "This landmark judgment sets a powerful precedent; public spaces and heritage sites cannot be held hostage by encroachers," she said. "Protecting a 700-year-old monument also means the restoration of open spaces taken over by parking mafias and neglected, but now returned rightfully to the citizens." A technical expert committee with historian Dr Swapna Liddle in it, formed on March 10, conducted a site inspection on April 24 and provided comprehensive recommendations for the restoration work to prevent it from decay and maintain its originality and presentation. Archaeology department officials reported that on May 12, scaffolding with protective netting was installed, and modern additions concealing the original octagonal structure were carefully removed. Officials noted that after removing the false ceiling, they discovered embedded metal structures previously used for fixtures. Following technical committee guidance, these were carefully removed to preserve the original structure. The exposed internal dome reveals 16 decorated niches with multiple paint layers. Chemical treatment is going on to remove the paint layers and uncover the original colour. Trial excavations have revealed evidence of the existence of the original flooring. Modern additions like DCWA entrance features like signage with sunshade, marble stairs and pathways have been removed. Vegetation removal, chemical treatment of roots and structural strengthening are also being undertaken. The external dome's restoration, including repair of the lotus cresting and plaster work, is under way too. Stone plinth protection will follow the removal of the scaffolding. Delhi govt has proposed declaring the Gumti of Shaikh Ali a protected monument under the Delhi Ancient and Historical Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 2004, which establishes prohibited and regulated spaces in the city.
