The Taj Mahal’s history and the “opening of 22 rooms” on its property were the subjects of a petition that the Supreme Court dismissed on Friday, labeling it “publicity interest litigation” and asking for a “fact-finding inquiry.”
Justices M. R. Shah and M. M. Sundresh’s bench decided not to challenge the Allahabad High Court’s decision to dismiss the appeal.
“The top court dismissed the petition, which was more of a public interest dispute. Dismissed, “said the bench.
On May 12, the high court ruled that petitioner Rajneesh Singh, the media coordinator for the BJP’s Ayodhya unit, had neglected to specify his legal or constitutional rights violated.
Additionally, it criticized the petitioner’s attorney for submitting the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition in a “casual” way. It stated that it could not issue an order, in this case, under Article 226 of the Constitution.
The article gives a high court the competence to issue orders or writs to any individual or organization within its jurisdiction to enforce fundamental rights.
Several right-wing Hindu organizations had previously asserted that the tomb from the Mughal Empire was a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Archaeological Survey of India is in charge of protecting the monument (ASI).
The petition had also sought the setting aside of specific provisions of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Act, 1951, and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, under which the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, the Agra Fort, and Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb were declared historical monuments. PTI PKS RC
