The Supreme Court has taken strong exception to the deliberate violation of its earlier order and issued a show-cause notice to the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for failing to file the required affidavit regarding conservation and monitoring of 173 heritage monuments in Delhi. A bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh was hearing the ongoing proceedings arising out of a special leave petition filed by Rajeev Suri concerning the preservation of monuments under various civic authorities in the national capital.

The Court noted that its previous order dated 02 February 2026 had directed the filing of status reports incorporating specific suggestions for inspection, documentation, location identification and geo-mapping of the monuments. Today, the Court Commissioner, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, placed before the Court a summary of the reports filed in compliance with that order, which indicated that 173 monuments fall under the purview of the ASI. However, no affidavit had been filed on behalf of the ASI despite the clear directions. The bench observed that this amounted to a deliberate violation of its order and accordingly directed the Director General of the ASI to appear personally before the Court on the next date of listing along with his show-cause reply.

With regard to the Department of Archaeology, Government of NCT of Delhi, the Court recorded that all 19 identified monuments had been inspected and compliance had been achieved on most aspects except location identification and geo-mapping. However, only a general statement had been made regarding compliance. The bench therefore directed the department to file a further detailed affidavit specifying monument-wise steps taken, compliance on all issues indicated in the previous orders, and up-to-date photographs of the sites.

Similar directions were issued to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Out of 85 identified monuments, only 62 had been surveyed and the exercise remained incomplete on certain aspects. The Court directed the MCD to file a detailed affidavit providing monument-wise actual position and compliance measures. For the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), the Court noted that only two out of 54 identified monuments had been surveyed. It directed the NDMC to file a further affidavit detailing its role and the coordination mechanism with other authorities to ensure effective monitoring and maintenance. The bench clarified that the NDMC shall act as the overall coordinator for general supervision and maintenance of the monuments within its jurisdiction.

The Court made it clear that for every monument, the authorities must mandatorily place on record precise location details, geo-mapping information, and up-to-date photographs in addition to compliance on all issues indicated in the earlier orders. It also directed that its previous order be communicated forthwith to historian Swapna Liddle and requested her presence on the next date of hearing. The bench further addressed the implementation of the scheme relating to the surrounding areas of the Gumti of Shaikh Ali being executed by the Tourism Department of the Government of NCT of Delhi through sub-contractors. It directed the department to ensure that the pace of work does not slow down and that the project does not become a commercial venture, and sought a status report in this regard.

The Court designated the learned Court Commissioner as the Nodal Officer for coordinating with all the authorities. All further affidavits as directed shall be served to the Court Commissioner and the learned senior counsel for the petitioner latest by 10 April 2026. The matter has been listed for further hearing on 13 April 2026 at 03:00 p.m.

Case Title: Rajeev Suri vs. Archaeological Survey of India & Ors.
Case No.: SLP (C) No. 12213/2019
Date of Order: 16 March 2026
Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh

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