Th.Chhatter Singh v. State Th.Tourism and Culture and Ors

ORDER

21.07.2026

¶01This is a petition filed by the petitioner in Public Interest seeking inter alia a direction to the respondents to preserve the ancient monuments i.e Dogra Royal Palace North Mubarak Mandi, Jammu by releasing sufficient funds for restoration of its pristine beauty and grandeur within some time frame.

¶02The respondents have filed their objections and in the latest affidavit filed by the Surveyor Officer of Archaeological Survey of India Srinagar Circle Jammu, it is submitted that the conservation work of old High Court Building has been successfully completed in September 2012 and other buildings like Baddi Deodi, Ghadvi Khana and Royal Court have been assigned to the ASI in the phased manner.

¶03It is further submitted that the conservation work of phase-I comprising buildings like Baddi Deodi, Ghadvi Khana and part of Royal Court which was started in May 2014 has been completed upto 85%. In respect of phase –II, it is submitted that the work to the extent of 60% has been completed. This affidavit was filed in 03.01.2022 and four years have passed since then.

¶04From reading of the affidavit of the responsible Officer of ASI and the other status reports filed by respondents from time to time, we are convinced that the respondents have taken the requisite steps for preservation and conservation of the Heritage Buildings situated at the Mubarak Mandi, Jammu.

¶05We appreciate the concern of the petitioner who took imitative to ensure that the Heritage Buildings situated at Mubarak Mandi, Jammu are restored to their pristine glory.

¶06It is in view of filing of this Public interest Litigation and the orders passed by this Court from time to time, the conservation work has picked up requisite pace.

¶07We are sure that the respondents will continue with the pace which it has exhibited in respect of works of Phase-I and Phase-II and ensure that the preservation and conservation work in question is completed without any un-necessary waste of time.

¶08We hope and trust that respondent Nos. 1 & 2 shall not allow conservation work to suffer for want of funds. With the aforesaid hope we do not wish to continue with this Public Interest Litigation. We, however, leave it open to the petitioner to seek the revival of this petition if he finds some laxity or slackness on the part of the respondents to undertake and complete the conservation works in question.

¶09Disposed of.

(Mohd Yousuf Wani) (Sanjeev Kumar) Judge

Chief Justice (Acting)

SRINAGAR:

21.07.2026 "S. Nuzhat"

Serial No. 1 REGULAR CAUSE LIST HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH AT JAMMU ( Th. Virtual Mode) PIL 13/2016 TH.CHHATTER SINGH …Petitioner(s) Through: Mr. G. S Thakur, Advocate Vs. STATE TH.TOURISM AND CULTURE AND ORS. ...Respondent(s) Through: Ms. Nisha Kangotra Advocate vice Ms. Monika Kohli, Sr. AAG for R1-4 Mr. Vishal Sharma, DSGI Mr. Karan Sharma, CGSC with Mr. Sumant Sudan, Advocate CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE (ACTING) HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHD YOUSUF WANI, JUDGE