Rajeev Mankotia vs The Secretary To The President Of India (Uoi) And Ors. Country/Territory India Type of court National - higher court Date Mar 27, 1997 Source UNEP, InforMEA Court name Supreme Court of India Judge Ramaswamy, K.Pattanaik., G.B. Language English Subject Environment gen. Keyword Cultural heritage Protected area Abstract The government neglected to consider the Viceregal Lodge at Shimla, a harbinger of Colonial past with architectural grandeur and beauty of Elizabethan Era, as a historical monument standing as the witness to the transition of independence to the Indians. The Lodge is now a historical monument fait accompli by the order of the court. But for the PIL the Lodge would have become another five star hotel. Feeling the inner voice of its ultimate destruction, the petitioner has asked the Supreme Court to protect it as the historical heritage and to preserve for our posterity. The Court directed the Central Government to notify the entire area of Viceragal Lodge as a protected ancient monument. The Court directed that as soon as the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies vacates the building and hands it over to the Archaeological Department, the Government should provide the necessary budget for effecting repairs and said that it is also necessary that its proper maintenance and preservation is undertaken as an on going process to protect the historical heritage and needed repairs are effected from time to time. The Court further directed the Government of India to maintain all national monuments under the respective Acts and to ensure that all of them are properly maintained so that the cultural and historical heritage of India and the beauty and grandeur of the monuments, sculptures secured through breathless and passionate labour, workmanship, craftsmanship and skills of the Indian Architects, artists and masons is continued to be preserved. Full text COU-156172.pdf Website www.indiankanoon.org