SC directions sought for shifting of security units from museums

New Delhi, May 11 (UNI) The Supreme Court was today urged by a petitioner, who had earlier sought directions from it to the Union Government to make adequate security arrangements to check thefts of historical importance from various museums in the country, to shift all administrative and security units from these museums.

The petitioner, Subash Dutta, in his additional affidavit, contended that theft of historical objects has been reported from the National Museum, Museum for Asiatic Society and Victoria Museum, Kolkata.

A division bench headed by Justice Ruma Pal had, on May 1, directed the petitioner to give suggestions for adopting security measures for preventing such incidents of theft.

Pleading that security of museums cannot be ignored due to paucity of funds, he also claimed that even the Union Culture Ministry in its annual report admitted that security and safety infrastructure in all the three museums was lacking.

Referring to a reported theft of a Nobel Prize and fifth-century Buddha head, the petitioner pleaded that these cases of theft have remained unsolved till date despite the fact that involvement of museum staff had been reported and suspected.

He also suggested physical verification of all objects stored in these museums by comparing the list with the record book.

UNI AKS/SC RL KN1928