ASI
wrote to North Corporation on Tuesday, saying that it will not take
possession of the disputed land till the fresh constructions that have
come up last week over the Mughal-era ruins are razed. ASI has given
North Corporation 15 days to demolish the new constructions. The court
had directed ASI to investigate the ruins discovered over a month ago

North Delhi mayor Mira Aggarwal confirmed, “The corporation received a
letter on Tuesday from ASI which was marked to the commissioner, the
chief engineer and the mayor. ASI is demanding that the corporation
demolish the fresh construction before handing over the land. But it is
not possible as we have to maintain the status quo as per the high court
order. We are open to hand over the land any day and for this we will
get in touch with ASI and clarify the matter with it.”

ASI
sources added if the heritage body demolishes the constructions, the
costs would have to be borne by the civic body. Despite several
attempts, no ASI official could be contacted though a team of senior
officials had visited the site at Subhash Park in the afternoon.

North Corporation officials have already said they were in favour of
razing the constructions and the corporation would file an affidavit in
the high court on Wednesday seeking permission to do so. North
Corporation on Tuesday demanded a CBI inquiry into the unauthorized
construction. Chairman, standing committee, Yogender Chandolia also said
that while chief minister Sheila Dikshit had blamed North Corporation
and Delhi Police for not taking any action against the construction, she
had not hold anyone responsible for the illegal construction.

He added that North Corporation had given the land to Delhi Metro till
April 10, 2016, for Metro’s Phase III construction and it was “the legal
responsibility of DMRC to not allow any person or organization to
construct anything unauthorized”.