HC stays renovation at Shah Jahan Monument

The Gujarat High Court on Thursday ordered a stay on the renovation work at the historical Shah Jahan Monument in Shahibaug area of Ahmedabad.

Acting on a public interest litigation (PIL),the court issued notices to the authorities concerned,including the Urban Housing and Urban Development Department,the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial Trust.

The PIL has been filed by the head of Hutheesing Heritage Foundation,Umang Hutheesing. He has claimed that the palace structure is sought to be altered by demolishing certain parts.

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According to the petitioner,the historical monument is known in history as Moti Mahal or Shahibaug Palace and was built by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in the year 1616.

The palace was a national monument since 1928 and it was listed as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India till April 11,1961. However,after the establishment of Gujarat state in 1960,the building was delisted and was converted into Rajbhavan,the Governors House.

The palace was the official residence of the Governor from 1960 to 1978. Thereafter,the responsibility of protection and care of the building was entrusted the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial Society,which propagates the ideology of Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, said the petition.

The beautiful jharokhas (minarets) of the building have already been demolished and new construction is being made for which no permission has been obtained, it added.

Further hearing has been posted for August 23.

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