Inspect Haksar Haveli, HC directs authorities

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ordered an inspection of Haksar Haveli, the centuries-old heritage building in Old Delhi where India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru got married to Kamala Nehru, by authorities including the Commissioner of North Delhi Municipal Corporation and police officials for illegal construction.

A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar termed it as an “extremely serious” matter while directing the Delhi Police to ensure that no construction is carried out in the building in violation of law. The court also sought an explanation from the corporation on how such illegal construction was being done in properties without permission.

The court was hearing a plea which alleged that unauthorised construction was being carried out in the famous heritage property. It placed certain photographs of ongoing construction before the court.

The plea said Nehru had gone to Haksar Haveli to marry Kamala, who was residing with her family there, on February 8, 1916. It said the beauty of Haksar Haveli, which used to host lot of mushairas and musical programmes till a few years ago in Old Delhi’s Sitaram Bazar, is being taken away with illegal and unauthorised construction.

“One property which is being destroyed is of Indira Gandhi’s mother who used to stay here. Even Nehru had come here to marry Kamala. Builders are destroying this heritage building for financial lust,” the plea said.