The Allahabad High Court has issued notice to the Centre and the Archaeological Survey of India on a plea challenging an Agra court order that refused a survey of the Taj Mahal.
The petition claims that the Taj Mahal is actually the ancient Hindu temple Tejo Mahalaya dedicated to Lord Shiva and seeks a court-appointed inspection, photography, and videography of the monument. The plea argues that the trial court wrongly rejected the application for an Advocate Commissioner and that the matter should be reconsidered on its merits.
The petitioners say the physical features, structural details, and locked portions of the monument cannot be properly established through oral evidence alone. They also argue that, since the site is under ASI control, they do not have unrestricted access and therefore need an official survey to support their case.
The dispute is now set for further hearing after the High Court asked the Centre and ASI to file their responses.
Allahabad High Court issues notice on a plea seeking survey of the Taj Mahal, as petitioners claim the monument is an ancient Hindu temple and demand fresh inspection.
