Supreme Court Unleashes Scathing Rebuke on Delhi Civic Body for Neglecting Lodi-Era Gumti Tomb, Orders Immediate Action Against Officials

In a powerful and unequivocal display of judicial authority, the Supreme Court has issued a severe reprimand to the Delhi civic body (MCD) for its egregious failure to maintain the historic Lodi-era Gumti tomb. The apex court not only expressed its profound disappointment over the monument's dilapidated state but also directed stern action against officials found responsible for this neglect, underscoring a critical need for accountability in heritage preservation.

The bench, comprising Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh, minutely observed the appalling condition of the Lodi-era tomb, strategically located near the Delhi Golf Club on a bustling road leading to Nizamuddin.

Photographs submitted to the court vividly depicted the tomb covered in rampant wild growth, a stark testament to years of neglect and indifference. This visual evidence fueled the court’s ire, prompting a direct order to the MCD to file a comprehensive status report detailing the steps taken for its upkeep.

The next hearing, scheduled for September 9, looms large for the civic body.

This is not the first instance of the Supreme Court intervening in the fate of Gumti. Back in March 2023, the court had already issued specific directions for the tomb’s preservation, making the current state of affairs even more egregious.

“Is this what you are doing? Why have the orders not been followed? We will initiate action against the officers,” Justice Sundresh sternly warned, highlighting a clear pattern of non-compliance and official apathy.

The issue of monument neglect came to the fore through a critical public interest litigation filed by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

INTACH's petition sought the urgent preservation of a multitude of historical monuments across Delhi, shining a spotlight on the staggering revelation that over 500 unprotected monuments within the capital face an uncertain future. The court’s intervention in the Gumti tomb case is a direct response to this broader crisis, emphasizing that heritage sites, irrespective of their size or prominence, demand and deserve meticulous care and maintenance.

The Supreme Court’s emphatic directive extends beyond mere reprimand; it is a powerful message regarding the sanctity of India’s historical legacy.

The judiciary has made it unequivocally clear that the failure of officials to discharge their duties in safeguarding these invaluable cultural assets will no longer be tolerated. This ruling serves as a crucial reminder to all civic bodies and responsible authorities that the preservation of our shared heritage is not merely an administrative task, but a solemn obligation, and dereliction of this duty will invite severe consequences.