Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Thursday demanded a high level probe into the demolition of a heritage Pathan era Mahal (palace) in the Lajpat Nagar area here at the behest of former CEO of Delhi Jal Board Udit Prakash Rai.
In a letter to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Sachdeva drew attention towards the demolition of the ASI-protected monument Mahal at Jal Vihar in Delhi and construction of a 700 square metre Bungalow on the site by DJB at the behest of its then CEO Udit Prakash Rai, a 2007-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer.
The Pioneer had on Thursday reported that the Vigilance Directorate of the Delhi Government has issued a show cause notice to 2007-batch IAS officer and the then CEO of Delhi Jal Board, Udit Prakash Rai for alleged misconduct in demolition of a heritage site in the Lajpat Nagar locality here, construction of residential accommodation and their illegal allotments.
“It shocking that Delhi Jal Board carried out this blatant act of demolishing a protected monument during the critical Covid phase of 2021 and thereafter speedily got constructed a 700 square metre Bungalow thereupon,†Sachdeva said in his letter.
Delhi BJP President said said that building a 700 square metre Bungalow normally costs around Rs 17.5 crore and it is surprising how this budget got sanctioned. The role of the then DJB CEO Udit Prakash and his then Minister In-charge Satyendar Jain in sanctioning construction funds needs to be investigated, he said in his letter to the LG.
Sachdeva said it is shocking that Delhi Jal Board fearlessly demolished the protected monument without the approval of Archaeological Survey of India and then did not seek approval of Delhi Urban Arts Commission or the then relevant South Delhi Municipal Corporation for construction of the Bungalow. Sachdeva urged the LG to order a high level probe in the entire matter.
The demolished site, “Mahal as well as Gateway ‘’ are listed monuments of the “list of Mohammedan & Hindu Monuments†as compiled by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The Mahal (Palace), located at Bhagola village (old location name) having current location near DTC Bus Terminal, Jal Vihar, Shiv Mandir Road, Lajpat Nagar (East of Lajpat Nagar-1), belongs to Pathan Period, and is constructed of brick masonry and red sandstone.
