‘You’ll clean it in 2 hours if a dignitary comes’: SC raps MCD on ‘Gumti of Shaikh Ali’; seeks report by Sept 18 | India News

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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday sharply criticised the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for failing to maintain the Lodhi-era monument “Gumti of Shaikh Ali” in Defence Colony clean, remarking, “You will clean it in two hours if a dignitary is coming.”A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and S V N Bhatti directed the MCD commissioner to repair duty on officers and submit an motion plan to deal with the lapses flagged by the court docket commissioner.“If a dignitary is coming, you will clean it in two hours and keep the area spick and span. Is this the respect you show to our orders?” the bench remarked on September4, questioning the municipal body’s repeated inaction despite earlier directions.(*2*) the court docket noticed.When the commissioner appeared, he admitted there had been a communication gap regarding the cemented portion and assured the court it would be removed.The top court has now directed the MCD commissioner to hold officers accountable and submit an action plan to fix the lapses. It also ordered that a senior officer be deputed to monitor the monument daily, with details shared with the court commissioner.Posting the matter for September 18, the bench also asked the MCD to file a report identifying officials responsible for disobeying orders and the action taken against them.The case stems from 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. The Delhi High Court had dismissed his plea in 2019, following which he approached the Supreme Court.The apex court has since been issuing directions to ensure removal of encroachments, illegal occupation, and beautification of the heritage site.