Subramanian Swamy's Delhi residence violating laws?

New Delhi, Feb 25: Janata Party President and whistleblower Subramanian Swamy after giving jitters to many corrupt politicians seem to be having trouble back home, literally. Swamy's residence in Delhi's Nizamuddin East is under the watchful eye of the MCD and the Archaeological Survey of India after it was found that construction was being carried out in the area that is in the prohibited zone of world heritage site Humayun's Tomb.

A showcause notice was issued on the matter against the ongoing construction on the third floor of the property, A-77 Nizamuddin East. The MCD has also issued a warning citing that action will be taken if the owner fails to act within a week's time.

According to MCD officials, this property is located close to 20 metres from the boundary wall of Humayun's Tomb, which is one of the three Unesco-credited world heritage sites in Delhi. As per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, construction activity is completely banned within 100 metres of protected monuments. Any construction violating this rule is regulated and approved by the recently established National Monuments Authority (NMA).

Swamy on being asked about the notice served, said, "It is not my property, how am I concerned?" He refused to divulge the name of the owner.

An MCD spokesperson has been quoted as saying to a newspaper, "We received a complaint over unauthorized construction for three rooms at property number A-77 in Nizamuddin East and have booked it accordingly. A showcause notice was served on Friday. If the owner of property does not take action within six or seven days, then the corporation will take action itself."

According to reports, the matter was brought to notice by a private citizen and not by the ASI that is authorized to keep an eye on construction activities near protected structures. They are also the custodians of Humayun's Tomb, Isa Kha Tomb, Bade Bateshawala Mahal and Chhote Bateshewala Mahal.

Recently in Jan this year, the Supreme Court had ruled that any construction activity within 100 metres of protected monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 2010 should be banned.

OneIndia News