Delhi High Court seeks government response in PIL to protect heritage properties in old Delhi’s Chah Rahat

The Delhi High Court recently issued notice in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the protection of heritage properties at Chah Rahat, in the Vakil Pura area of Old Delhi. [Sanjay Kumar Vashist v. Union of India].A Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula has sought responses from various authorities including the Union Ministry of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and listed the matter for hearing on December 7..Sanjay Kumar Vashist, a resident of Chandni Chowk filed the petition, in which he raised concern that illegal encroachers were running business on these properties and destroying their heritage nature by making constructions. He has specifically alleged that the illegal business of copper idols was being carried out from the properties numbered 1237-1246 and 1272.The Union Ministry of Urban Development in July 2016 had declared the properties as heritage property of Category III in the form of haveli, according to the PIL..Vashist further submitted that the ASI, in response to an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, revealed that the owners of the properties could not be traced. “Several encroachers and illegal occupants in the form of traders have encroached upon the said properties and have installed shutters thus converting the said properties as go-downs and showroom of copper idols and have been carrying out their businesses illegally with their hand in gloves with the local administration,” Vashist alleged.He has highlighted that Old Delhi is known for its rich culture and heritage and that its buildings contain very beautiful and traditional designs that are not possible to recreate now.Accordingly, the PIL seeks the eviction of the traders who are illegally encroaching upon such properties. .Advocates Indira Goswami, Sumit Mishra, Anamika and Sitwat Nabi represented the petitioner. Central Government Standing Counsel Vineet Dhanda appeared for the Union of India. Standing Counsel Sanjay Katyal with Advocate Nihal Singh represented the DDA..[Read Order]