Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe into DCWA’s Unauthorized Use of Historical Gumti Tomb
The Supreme Court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into how the Gumti of Shaikh Ali, a Lodi-era tomb in Delhi’s Defence Colony, came to be occupied by the Defence Colony Welfare Association (DCWA). The Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Ujjal Bhuyan also directed the CBI to investigate why the Centre and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reversed their earlier decision to declare the Gumti a protected monument.
The tomb, an octagonal structure built over 500 years ago during the Lodi period, was initially considered for protection under national monument status. However, the Centre and ASI later withdrew their proposal, citing alterations made by the DCWA, which had been using the tomb as an office. This shift in stance prompted the Court to seek a CBI inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the change and the lack of preventive action by the authorities.
The inquiry was initiated following a petition filed by Rajeev Suri, who raised concerns about the preservation of the tomb and the construction plans for a multi-level car parking and shopping plaza on the adjacent land. The Court had previously issued a status quo order on the site and has now mandated that no alterations be made to the tomb until further notice. The case is scheduled for further hearing on November 12, with the CBI expected to submit a progress report within two months.
(With inputs from agency)
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