India News | Delhi Vigilance Directs DJB to Carry out Eviction Proceedings in Jal Vihar Monument Demolition Case
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. The Vigilance Department has directed the Delhi Jal Board to carry out eviction proceedings in case of a residential complex allotted to then DJB CEO that was allegedly constructed by demolishing a "listed heritage monument" at Jal Vihar in southeast Delhi.
New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) The Vigilance Department has directed the Delhi Jal Board to carry out eviction proceedings in case of a residential complex allotted to then DJB CEO that was allegedly constructed by demolishing a "listed heritage monument" at Jal Vihar in southeast Delhi.
The monument, a "Mahal" (palace) of the Pathan period and the only remnant of the Khizrabad city founded by Khizr Khan of the Sayyid dynasty, was located at Jal Vihar near Lajpat Nagar.
"This is with reference to illegal construction of residential complex at Jal Vihar, Kilokri Residential Complex by demolishing a 'Listed Heritage Monument' at Jal Vihar, Kilokri Residential Complex, which was allotted to the then CEO, Udit Prakash Rai, IAS," read the order issued on Tuesday.
The order directed that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) shall ensure that eviction proceedings under "The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971" should be taken up expeditiously in accordance with law.
It also directed that the ACL Department carry out the process for transferring of land to its logical conclusion according to law in a time-bound matter.
"Further, CEO, DJB is requested to send the Action Taken Report latest by 31.07.2023," it said.
The monument was in the process of being handed over by the DJB to the Archaeology department. However, in a joint inspection by the department and DJB in January this year, it was found missing.
The monument was mentioned in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) list of "Muhammadan and Hindu monuments" of Delhi. It comprised a palace (mahal) and a gateway that still exists while the former was gone, said the notice.
The 'Mahal' comprised three arched dalan flanked by two compartments built with red sandstone and brick masonry.
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)