Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has asked the Archaeological Survey of India's Patna Circle superintendent to appear before it on February 9 with the action taken report in a case of illegal construction and encroachment near the Sher Shah Suri mosque in Sasaram.
However, he would not be required to appear before the commission in person if the report is submitted by February 5.
The directive came on Wednesday on a petition by Milan Upadhyaya of Sasaram. Milan had complained to the human rights commission that Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officers in Sasaram had stopped repair of his old house close to the mosque, and sought bribe from him.
When he refused to pay the same, he alleged, they lodged a case against him for which he was sent to jail. The petitioner told the commission that illegal constructions were coming up in the prohibited area with ASI officials' connivance.
The commission then sought responses from the ASI and the Rohtas district magistrate in this regard.
The district magistrate and ASI Patna superintendent said that Milanwas carrying out construction 50m from the mosque in contravention of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites & Remains (Modification) Act, 2010, for which a case was registered against him and the Sasaram police arrested him.
The Sasaram sub-divisional officer (SDO), after spot inspection, said fresh construction of houses belonging to Radheshyam Sah and Rajendra Kumar was on in the prohibited area.
Another man, Krishan Mahto, had encroached upon the boundary wall of the mosque without the ASI's permission.
The BHRC then asked the superintendent of ASI's Patna circle what action had been taken against those accused of carrying out illegal constructions and encroaching on the prohibited area near the mosque built in honour of the Pathan emperor, also known as Sher Khan or the Lion King. Sher Shah Suri, who ruled from 1539 to 1545, is famed for having built the famed Grand Trunk Road.
The BHRC had sought a report on November 16, which was not submitted. Therefore, the commission directed the superintendent of ASI's Patna circle to appear before it unless the report is received by February 5.
