The Indian Express   16.08.2012

Won’t demolish illegal structure: MLA

Matia Mahal MLA Shoaib Iqbal on Wednesday refused to demolish the illegal structure built on the purported site of the Mughal-era Akbarabadi Masjid.

“If authorities demolish the structure, it will destroy the masonry and artefacts at the site. It is not possible to demolish the structure,” Iqbal said. The legislator had asked residents to construct the structure in Subhash Park in July.Last month, the Delhi High Court had ordered the North Municipal Corporation and the police to raze the illegal structure.

The police had then asked the High Court to direct Iqbal to get the structure demolished, saying that they would not be able to make necessary security arrangements for demolition due to Ramdev’s protest and Independence Day preparations in August.

“Appropriate orders be issued to Shoaib Iqbal to remove unauthorised construction at the Subhash Park site under the supervision of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),” Delhi Police had said in its application, while seeking modification of the court’s earlier order and extension for its compliance.

Iqbal had moved a fresh plea in the High Court on Tuesday. “We demand that a new committee should be formed under eminent citizens or historians to oversee ASI work. We have suggested names of former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Rajender Sachar, Jamia Millia Islamia’s Vice Chancellor Najeeb Jung and former ASI director K K Mohammad as members of the committee,” the plea said.

The application is likely to come up for hearing before a three judge-bench headed by Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri on August 17.North Corporation, which is the land owning authority, is playing safe on the entire issue. Municipal Commissioner P K Gupta said, “We are waiting for High Court directions as Delhi Police has refused to help us with demolition. The court may take action against those who are in contempt of its order.”Last month, the civic body had sealed the Subhash Park site with the help of police.