Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 25: Keeping in view the deteriorating condition of the Mubarak Mandi Complex, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Tashi Rabstan today directed the State for immediate shifting of records of the Department of Achieves and Archaeology to the first floor of Kala Kendra Building at Bikram Chowk for their safe keeping till permanent arrangement is made.
These directions were passed in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Shah Mohammad Choudhary highlighting the importance of preserving art, museum and archives in the State.
In the PIL, it has been submitted that Mubarak Mandi Complex is in dilapidated condition and it has been declared unsafe long ago. “Many of the administrative offices have been shifted from this complex but the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museum has not taken proper steps to restore the heritage building”, the petitioner said.
In terms of order dated July 18, 2016, the High Court had constituted a committee comprising Senior Advocate B S Slathia and Deputy Director, Department of Archives, Archeology and Museums, which has suggested some remedial measures. As one of the suggestions, the committee has stressed the need to immediately shift record of Department of Archives and Archaeology to Kala Kendra till the sufficient place is acquired for housing historical records on permanent basis.
The committee has also brought to the notice of the Division Bench that in the 7th Government Body Meeting of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society held on August 29, 2016, the proposal of shifting of archival records to old Information Department building was cleared.
After going through the suggestions of the committee, the DB directed the respondents to immediately shift records of the Department of Achieves and Archaeology to the first floor of Kala Kendra Building at Bikram Chowk for their safe keeping till permanent arrangement is made. “Respondents shall also take necessary expert advice from the Archives Department while shifting the records so that same are properly preserved and this process shall be completed within a period of four weeks from today”, the DB further directed.
“The Registrar General, in pursuance of direction dated November 23, 2016 has filed the preliminary report mentioning the measures required to be taken for undertaking the process of retrieval, shifting and preservation of the judicial records in the District Court Complex, Janipur”, the DB said, adding “the entire process of shifting has to be monitored by the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Jammu himself and/or any other officer under his control and to be nominated by him”.
“As the funds required for shifting and upkeep of the judicial records, are to be arranged by the Government, we direct the State to release an amount of Rs one lakh in favour of Registrar General within a period of 10 days from today and on receipt of the same, Registrar General in association with the Principal District and Sessions Judge shall take further steps for immediate shifting of the records from Mubarak Mandi Complex in the hall situated in the basement of District Court Complex, Janipur for its safe keeping till permanent arrangement is made”, the DB said.
Even the Department of Archeological and Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation have been directed to take necessary steps on the request of the Registrar General/Principal District and Sessions Judge, Jammu to ensure that in the process of shifting the record does not get destroyed. “The whole process shall be completed within a period of four weeks from today”, the DB further directed.
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