Siraj-ud-Daulah palace: HC seeks inspection by 3-member panel
Times of India | 7 March 2025
Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the constitution of a three-member committee, with the Murshidabad DM as its convener, to inspect the present condition of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah's Hirajheel Palace.
The HC directive came during the hearing of a PIL filed by the Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah Smriti Surakkha Trust. The trust has sought the preservation of 9-10 bighas, which, it claimed, was left and visible under the water. The palace was established over 66.66 bighas; the rest has submerged in the Bhagirathi river.
The state counsel informed a division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das) that the palace was destroyed by East India Company in the 1700s. However, the CJ favoured an inspection to get a clearer picture.
Apart from the DM, the committee would include one member from the archaeological department and one from the state heritage commission. The trust was also asked to help with facts and assist the team in submitting a report within six weeks.
During the previous hearing, the CJ stressed the need for preservation of historical places in the state. He also asked the petitioners to make Archaeological Survey of India a party in the case.
Referring to the restoration of shore temples in Mahabalipuram, the CJ said whatever little heritage was left needed to be preserved. "So, if nine bighas (referring to the palace in Murshidabad) are yet to be submerged, to that extent, it can be preserved. You can recreate it by conducting a sound and light show like they do in Victoria Memorial so that we know the history," the CJ said during the previous hearing.
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