SC pulls up Delhi civic body, ASI over ‘lackadaisical approach’ to preservation of heritage sites
The Supreme Court of India has criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Archaeological Survey of India for failing to protect heritage sites from encroachment. The court has ordered the appointment of a senior government official to oversee inter-departmental coordination to ensure better preservation efforts.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing struggle between urban development and the preservation of historical landmarks in rapidly growing metropolitan areas.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) pulled up the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for their “total lackadaisical approach” to tackling widespread encroachments and ensuring the preservation of notified heritage structures in the national capital.
“We find a total lackadaisical approach by the authorities in either assisting the Court Commissioner or acting in a manner which would indicate that they are serious about what they implement on the ground. Matters ranging from keeping the sites free of encroachment, their cleanliness, status reports, details with regard to ownership, settlement, and the current position are not forthcoming. Even the authorities, which, in law, are presumed to have knowledge of these matters and are supposed to maintain records, are blissfully ignorant of such details,” a Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N. Kotiswar Singh said.
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