Library’s lack of concern for books irks HC
◗ The first Delhi Public Library was started by former PM Jawaharlal Nehru across the Old Delhi Railway Station in 1951
New Delhi, Jan. 16: The Delhi high court on tuesday said it was “appalled” by the historic Delhi Public Library’s “lack of concern” towards its property and books at Karol Bagh here.
The view was expressed by a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar after the lawyer representing the library said he had no instructions on whether the books had been removed or not.
The lawyer for Delhi Public Library ( DPL) said they had to inspect the books and ascertain their condition before any steps were taken.
“We are absolutely appalled by your lack of concern for your property and the books. You have no concern for what is actually public property. Your concern is obvious from your conduct,” the bench said.
The court had on December 6 last asked the library to preserve its books, which are locked up in the premises in question since November, 2016.
It had directed the authorities to shift the books, CDs, computers, catalogues and other important material lying in thepremises to Delhi Public Library’s head office or any other safe location.
Meanwhile, the lawyer for the person who bought the building housing the library told the court that DPL officials had visited the premises and were packing up the books.
The owner’s lawyer also said that his client was willing to pay around ` 40 lakh to set up the library on some other vacant land. The bench listed the matter for further hearing on March 20.
The first Delhi Public Library was started by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru across the Old Delhi Railway Station in 1951.
The court on December 4, 2016 had extended till March 20, 2017 its order restraining the North Delhi Municipal Corporation from demolishing the building.