HON’BLE SHRI G.S.SINGHVI, THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND HON’BLE SHRI JUSTICE G.V.SEETHAPATHY WRIT PETITION NO.7329 of 2006 Between: News Item published on 12-4-2006 in Eenadu Telugh daily Newspaper. …Petitioner A n d The Government of A.P rep. by its Secretary, Youth Advancement Tourism and culture Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad and others. …Respondents :: O R D E R :: Counsel for the Petitioner : Shri Ramakrishna (Reporter of Eenadu Telugu Daily) Counsel for the Respondents : Advocate General 20th July, 2006 Per G.S.Singhvi, C.J Report published in Eenadu Telugu daily dated 12-4-2006 suggesting that invaluable parts of the temple erected almost 850 years ago by Kakatiya dynasty in Warangal have been stolen was treated by one of us (the Chief Justice) as a petition in public interest. On 13-4-2006 notices were issued to the Union of India, Archaeological Survey of India, Government of Andhra Pradesh through Secretary, Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture Department, the Director of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, District Collector, Warangal and Municipal Corporation, Warangal through its Commissioner. District Collector, Warangal was also directed to visit the site within a period of 48 hours and ensure that the area is cordoned off and no person is allowed to enter the precinct without his written permission. The Director of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh was directed to visit the site and submit report regarding the stealing away of the pillars of the temple constructed by Kakatiya dynasty. In compliance of the aforementioned order, D r . J.Kedareswari, Director of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Smt. K.Damayanthi, District Collector, Warangal and Dr. D.Jithendra Das, Superintending Archaeologist, Government of India, Hyderabad Circle filed their affidavits. On 21-6-2006, Dr. J.Kedareswari, Director of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh handed over a compilation titled “The Kalyanamandapa of the Thousand Pillared Temple, Hanamkonda, Warangal District.” On 5-7-2006, D r . J.Kedareswari submitted large number of photographs and inspection report submitted by Sri K.Venkata Ramana, in-charge Warangal Range. She also produced a copy of the article written by Henry Coosens in 1894-95. Two photographs produced by Dr. J.Kedareswari are said to have been taken by Raja Deendayal in 19th Century. After taking on record the material produced by Dr. J.Kedareswari, the court passed the following order: “Shri G.V.S. Jagannath Rao for Shri Ramakrishna, Reporter of Eenadu Telugu Daily on whose report this petition in public interest was registered and notices were issued. Shri C.V.Mohan Reddy, learned Advocate General, Andhra Pradesh. Dr. Kedareshwari, Director of Archaeology and Museums, Hyderabad. Dr. Kedareshwari submitted large number of photographs and the inspection report submitted by Shri K.Venkata Ramana, in-charge Warangal Range. She also produced a copy of the article written by Henry Coosens in 1894-95. Two of the photographs produced by Dr. G.Kedareshwari are said to have been taken by Raja Deendayal in 19th Century. D r. Kedareshweari also produced three drawings pertaining to differentparts of the pillars of Kalyanamantapam of the temple in question. Since the Court is not possessed with the expertise in the field of Archaeology, we, for the time being, refrain from making any comment on the steps taken by Archaeological Survey of India in the process of dismantling the kalyanamantapam in dispute, but are certainly concern with the safety of the parts of the pillars which are lying in the stockyard. Prima facie, it appears that the fencing condoned by the Department is not adequate for protecting the parts lying at the site. Therefore, we request the learned Advocate General to get in touch with the concerned authorities and make a statement on the next date about the steps proposed to be taken by the State Government for pr0otecting the site from any possible thefts or vandalism. Put up on 20-7-2006” Today, learned Advocate General produced before the Court, letter dated 17th July, 2006 addressed by Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Hyderabad to Shri A.Rajasekhara Reddy, Assistant Solicitor General. A perusal of the letter shows that the authorities concerned are taking the following steps to protect the dismantled architectural members of the Kalyanamandapa nearby the Padmakshi temple, Hanmakonda, Warangal District: 1. Fencing the stockyard for proper security of the dismantled architectural members. 2. Providing flood lighting in the stockyard for keeping night vigilance. 3. Posting Home guards for round the clock security at the stockyard. In this regard this office has already requested the District Collector, Warangal and the Superintendent of Police, Warangal for security arrangement. In view of the above, we deem it proper to close the proceedings of this case for the time being, but give an opportunity to Sri Rama Krishna to apply for revival of the petition, if the concerned authorities fail to take steps indicated herein above for protecting the dismantled architectural members of Kalyanamandapa. G.S.SINGHVI, CJ G.V.SEETHAPATHY, J 20th July, 2006 RAR/GRR HON’BLE SHRI G.S.SINGHVI, THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND HON’BLE SHRI JUSTICE G.V.SEETHAPATHY WRIT PETITION NO.7329 of 2006 (Order of the Bench delivered by Hon’ble the Chief Justice) DATED : 20.07.2006