Delhi Development Authority took action
New Delhi – Several illegal religious structures have been destroyed in Sanjay Reserve Forest in the Mehrauli area. Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has started taking action with a bulldozer drive against encroachments. After the demolition of the 600-year-old Akhundji Masjid in Sanjay Van (Sanjay Reserve Forest), now it has come to light that the grave of Baba Haji Rozbih has been demolished. Haji Rozbih spread Islam in India.
A senior DDA official said that the Ridge Management Board had set up a study committee by the High Court to ensure that the ridge forest (range of mountains) should be free from all encroachments. This committee had suggested removing many illegal constructions in Sanjay Forest.
A report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) said the encroachments included several multi-story buildings and farmhouses.
These encroachments have spread deep into the ridge forest. Despite several orders from the court, the concerned authorities did nothing to remove these illegal constructions. (Strict action should be taken against the officials who do not comply with the Court order to remove these encroachments, only then will the encroachments be stopped. – Editor)
Renowned historian and writer Rana Safavi has questioned this action of ‘DDA’. He said that it is wrong to call the religious structures in Sanjay Forest an ‘encroachment’.