The Delhi high court on Wednesday refused to stay the construction of a memorial for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib complex here.
The high court declined the plea which had said that the Gurdwara is a heritage property and the construction project is in violation of laws.
The court was informed that the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) laid the foundation stone of the memorial on Wednesday morning. The NDMC told the court that legal action will be taken soon if the DSGMC goes ahead with the project in violation of the statute.
Declining to stay the construction, Justice Jayant Nath, however, issued notice to Delhi government, NDMC, DDA, DSGMC and its president Sardar Manjit Singh and sought their replies by July 17 on former DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna’s plea to stop the construction as they have not got approval from competent authority.
“Direct respondents to abide by or enforce legal obligations to ensure that there is no breach of law by raising illegal structure inside the campus of Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib,” the plea said seeking suspension of all construction activities concerning the memorial.
Justice Nath recorded the submissions of NDMC counsel Vivek Sood, who said, “Action has been initiated. On June 6, a showcause notice was issued to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and its president Sardar Manjit Singh GK in which the legal consequences were also mentioned ... It will take action as per law in 2/3 days.”
DSGMC’s counsel Sudhir Nandrajog told the court that a memorial is only a proposed plan.
Refusing to give any undertaking, the senior lawyer said it can be a memorial garden or a fountain and at this stage NDMC should not interfere.