Agra, April 12: A pillar of the entry gate to the world-famous Taj Mahal monument collapsed on Thursday after heavy rainfall lashed the region. As per reports, the 12-feet metal pillar at the entry gate referred to as Darwaza-e-Rauza. It collapsed as wind speed during the thunderstorm crossed 100 km per hour, reports said. No casualties have been reported as of now.

In a similar incident, about 50 km from Agra, three children died in Mathura district after a tin roof of their one-room house collapsed. The incident took place when their parents, who happen to be daily wage labourers were not at home. Reports by ANI inform that crops were also damaged in several areas in Nandgaon, Vrindavan, Kosi Kalan areas of Mathura district.

To recall, the Archeological Society of India (ASI), a body that maintains the iconic heritage site, had appealed in the Supreme Court for sorting out the ownership of the Taj Mahal, against the Waqf board's decision to declare the Taj as its property. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court asked the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board, to show documents signed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in order to prove that it owns the Taj Mahal.

"Who in India will believe that it the Taj belongs to the Waqf board," asked the Bench, comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, and added that such issues must not waste the time of the top court.

To recall, the Supreme Court on March 23 had directed the Uttar Pradesh government to place before it a draft of vision document on protection and preservation of the Taj Mahal and the environment in the Taj Trapezium Zone.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 12, 2018 10:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).