The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has imposed a deadline of November 13 for authorities, including the collector, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), the PWD chief engineer, and the Heritage Conservation Committee, to submit detailed affidavits on the current status and restoration plan for Kasturchand Park and the Grade-1 monument on site.
The order was triggered by concerns raised by amicus curiae SP Bhandarkar, who noted the presence of overgrown vegetation and crumbling structures at the ground.
The bench, comprising Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Vrushali Joshi, pointed out an order from October 2021 which mentioned the use of the historic site for commercial use at a minimal rent, resulting in substantial profits for event organisers. The court had then directed the collector to submit a detailed response regarding the lease violations, if any, and actions taken against these entities, along with suggestions on income-sharing by these organisers with the govt.
The other order from September 2020 highlighted the significant discrepancy between the affidavits submitted to the court about the park’s condition and its actual state, which was marked by litter, an uneven surface, and severely deteriorated heritage structures. The court directed the collector and Nagpur Municipal Corporation to conduct an audit and submit a restoration action plan for the park.