Ghalib ki Haveli: Inquiry into encroachment

Delhi government has initiated an inquiry into the encroachment at Ghalib Ki Haveli, a heritage structure,even as heritage lovers lodged a police complaint about the same on Friday.

Delhi government has initiated an inquiry into the encroachment at Ghalib Ki Haveli, a heritage structure,even as heritage lovers lodged a police complaint about the same on Friday.

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Delhi government’s department of archaeology, responsible for maintenance and protection of the heritage building, will inquire into the incident.

“We have called for a detailed report. Action will be taken only after we receive the report,” said Keshav Chandra, director of the department. Pointing towards “the personal use of Ghalib’s haveli,” Firoz Bakht Ahmed, heritage lover and social activist, lodged a police complaint at the Hauz Quazi police station.

“Scrolls with Urdu couplets by Ghalib and several Mughal-era utensils kept there to create 19th century ambience went missing. Instead, sacks of onions and other vegetables were found near Ghalib’s bust,” Ahmed said.

“We have received a complaint in this regard matter,” said a senior police officer.

Earlier this week, alert heritage lovers and social activists had stopped encroachment by way of a carpentry workshop at the Haveli located in Gali Qasimjan, Ballimaran.