Supreme Court raps ASI, MCD after Lodhi-era monument in Delhi found used as cow shed
Representative image: shalender / Pixabay
The Supreme Court on 7 October 2026 criticised the ASI and Delhi's civic body after finding a Lodhi-era monument used as a cow shed and dumping yard.
What Happened
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, sharply criticised the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) over the condition of heritage monuments in the capital. A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N.K. Singh was told that a Lodhi-era monument was being used as a cow shed and a dumping yard, and that a 13th-century structure had been encroached upon by private individuals. The judges told the ASI's Director General that, because of the agency's apparent negligence, the heritage sites in question were not worth visiting, and remarked that the ASI had lost credibility. They also said the MCD did not appear capable of maintaining heritage sites.
Key Facts
- Court: Supreme Court of India, bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N.K. Singh.
- Hearing date: 7 October 2026.
- Finding before the court: a Lodhi-era monument in Delhi was being used as a cow shed and a dumping yard.
- A 13th-century structure was found to be under encroachment by private individuals.
- The bench told the ASI Director General the sites were not worth visiting because of neglect, and said the agency had lost credibility.
- The judges also questioned whether the MCD had the capacity to look after heritage sites.
- The case began over the Lodhi-era Shaikh Ali Gumti and was later widened to cover such monuments across Delhi, with Court Commissioner Gopal Sankaranarayanan reporting on their state.
Why It Matters
Delhi has a large number of historic buildings, and many smaller monuments sit among homes, markets and roads, and they depend on the ASI, for protected sites, and on civic bodies such as the MCD for their surroundings and for monuments outside the ASI's list. The court's remarks suggest that this system is failing at the level of everyday upkeep: keeping out cattle and garbage, stopping encroachment and maintaining access.
The case shows how a single complaint can grow. It started with the Shaikh Ali Gumti, a Lodhi-period tomb, and widened when the court commissioner's inspections found monuments being used as garbage dumps. In August, the court had already accused the MCD and the ASI of total callousness and of suppressing facts in the matter. The language used on 7 October, telling a national heritage agency that it had lost credibility, is unusually strong and puts pressure on the government to respond.
There is also a public interest beyond the monuments themselves. Heritage sites draw tourists, give neighbourhoods their identity and record centuries of history that cannot be rebuilt once lost. When small monuments are neglected, they can disappear entirely through encroachment or decay, often without public notice.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bench | Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah, N.K. Singh |
| Hearing | 7 October 2026 |
| Agencies criticised | ASI, MCD |
| Issues found | Lodhi-era monument used as cow shed and dump; 13th-century structure encroached |
| Origin of case | Preservation of Shaikh Ali Gumti |
Impact
Short-term: The ASI and MCD are likely to face pressure to clear encroachments and waste from the monuments identified, and to explain their maintenance plans when the case is next heard.
Long-term: The case could lead to clearer rules on which agency is responsible for each monument in Delhi, and on regular inspections, which could become a model for other cities.
Who is affected: Residents living around Delhi's monuments; tourists and heritage enthusiasts; the ASI and MCD; and people encroaching on protected sites.
Key Takeaway
The Supreme Court has told the ASI it has lost credibility after Delhi monuments were found used as a cow shed and dump, raising pressure for better care of the capital's heritage.
Questions and Answers
What did the Supreme Court say about the ASI on 7 October 2026?
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N.K. Singh said the ASI had lost credibility and told its Director General that the heritage sites before the court were not worth visiting because of neglect.
Which monument was being used as a cow shed?
Reports describe it as a Lodhi-era monument in Delhi that was being used as a cow shed and a dumping yard. The case itself began with the Lodhi-era Shaikh Ali Gumti.
What did the court say about the MCD?
The judges questioned whether the Municipal Corporation of Delhi had the capacity to maintain any heritage sites in the city.
Has the court issued final orders?
Reports of the 7 October hearing describe the court's criticism, but did not detail final directions or the next hearing date.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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