The Supreme Court has directed immediate enforcement of statutory restrictions governing protected monuments situated within and adjoining the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) premises, along with sealing of structures and activities allegedly operating in violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
The Bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh passed the directions on Wednesday while hearing a matter related to preservation, conservation and protection of historical monuments and archaeological structures in Delhi. However, following submissions made on behalf of the DGC, the Apex Court subsequently kept operation of the coercive directions in abeyance till the next date of hearing.
The Court specifically directed immediate enforcement of the 100-metre prohibited area around the ASI-protected monuments Lal Bangla I and Lal Bangla II situated near the entrance of the Delhi Golf Club premises. Invoking Section 20A of the AMASR Act, the Bench ordered that no activity whatsoever be carried out within the prohibited zone and further directed the sealing of all structures and operations falling within the restricted area.
The directions were passed after the Court examined a spot inspection and survey report submitted by Court Commissioners led by Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, along with Advocates Nipun Saxena and Vishal Sinha.
According to the report, portions of the DGC kitchen complex were located barely three metres away from the protected monument. The report recorded the presence of permanent constructions, hot boilers, chimneys, heavy exhaust systems, water tanks and other commercial kitchen infrastructure operating within the prohibited area surrounding Lal Bangla I and II. The Court Commissioner reportedly recommended immediate removal of the kitchenette structures situated adjacent to the monument on the ground that such activities posed a serious threat to preservation and structural integrity of the protected site.
Apart from Lal Bangla I and II, the Bench also directed that no activity be permitted within a 20-metre radius of nine other historical structures situated inside the DGC premises. The Court clarified that although these monuments are not presently notified as protected monuments under the AMASR Act, they nevertheless require preservation and safeguarding from encroachment, degradation and deterioration.
Expressing serious concern over the condition of the monuments, the Bench observed that photographs annexed to the Court Commissioner’s report revealed extensive neglect and absence of basic conservation measures. The Court recorded that most structures were in a dilapidated condition and lacked even minimum restoration or preservation efforts.
The Court further noted that conservation work had reportedly been undertaken only in relation to four out of 10 monuments through the Aga Khan Trust, while the remaining structures showed no visible signs of restoration, structural protection or maintenance.
The Supreme Court directed the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to immediately implement the directions and authorised it to seek assistance from the Delhi Police wherever necessary. The Bench specifically made the NDMC Chairperson and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, personally responsible for ensuring compliance with the Court’s directions.
The Bench also issued notice to the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), questioning why appropriate proceedings should not be initiated for alleged administrative inaction, neglect and failure to discharge statutory obligations relating to preservation of monuments under ASI supervision.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the DGC, opposed immediate implementation of the directions and sought time to file a response to the Court Commissioner’s report. Sibal submitted that certain constructions within the club dated back to 1952, prior to the enactment of the AMASR Act in 1958, and argued that sealing of the entrance and surrounding areas would severely disrupt the functioning of the club.
The Bench noted that it had earlier indicated on May 11 that stringent directions could follow upon submission of the Commissioner’s report. However, taking note of the request made on behalf of the DGC, the Court granted what it described as an “extraordinary indulgence” and temporarily kept the earlier directions in abeyance pending further consideration. The case has now been listed for further hearing on July 22, 2026.
The matter arose from a petition filed by Delhi resident Rajeev Suri seeking protection of the Gumti of Shaikh Ali in Defence Colony, which was subsequently declared a protected monument following earlier directions issued by the Supreme Court.
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