Heritage activist set to sue HAT, ASI

The heritage activist, on whose PIL the Allahabad high court ordered restoration of the historic Chhota Imambada gate a year back, is all set to sue the agencies involved for contempt of court over non-compliance of orders.

The restoration work of the gate has been left midway by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) citing fund crunch. The ASI officials claim that the Hussainabad and Allied Trust (HAT), custodian of the monument, is no longer interested in carrying out the work with them as it has approached the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) for completion of work.

“It is non-compliance of court orders. I am filing an affidavit demanding action against the erring agencies,” S Mohammed Haider, the heritage activist said. The restoration work had started in 2014 following the Allahabad High Court order on May 12. A meeting of officials of the dis- trict administration, ASI, and Directorate of Archaeology (UP) was held under the chairmanship of the then principal secretary, Culture, on May 17, 2014. It was decided that the restoration work of the Chhota Imambada’s eastern gate would be funded by the HAT and done by the Archaeological Survey of India .

It may be mentioned that Haider, a corporate lawyer and heritage activist, had filed

the PIL in 2013 seeking HC’s intervention in ensuring repair work and maintenance of the monuments and removal of encroachment from the premises.

However, the ASI officials told HT that the HAT had released a sum of 10 lakh for restoration work but they received only Rs 7.5 lakh, as the remaining amount was deducted as departmental charges.

“On demanding more funds from HAT, they said they will get the work done through LDA,” told NK Pathak, superi ntending archaeolo gist, Lucknow Circle, ASI.