When Was Taj Mahal Given to You? Supreme Court Asks Wakf Board to Produce Signed Documents by Shah Jahan

Mumbai, April 11: The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, rebuked the Wakf’s Board claim of Taj Mahal being their property. Replying to Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) plea that challenges Uttar Pradesh’s Sunni Wakf Board’s claim of Taj Mahal being their property, the three-judge bench retorted by saying, “Who in India will believe that Taj Mahal belongs to Wakf Board? Such issues should not waste the time of the Supreme Court.”

The three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud informed the Board’s representative that Taj Mahal and other heritage monuments built by the Mughal Emperors were in possession of the British for 250 years after Mughals’ rule. And post-British’s rule, the monuments were passed to the central government. In its observing, the CJI said, “When was it given to you?”

The Wakf Board’s petitioner, Mohammad Irfan Bedar, through senior advocate V Giri stressed on his point that Shah Jahan had declared Taj Mahal as Wakf property. This argument drew Supreme Court’s fury as the three-judge bench asked them to produce the original title deeds. CJI observed, “I want to see his (Shah Jahan’s) signature if there’s any such document. It would be very interesting to see.”

The advocate representing Wakf Board asked for more time to produce historical texts and exhibits that would state that Taj Mahal was Wakf Board’s property since the time of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

However, the CJI said that it (historical texts and exhibits) will not suffice and ratify the Wakf Board’s claim. The Supreme Court, later on, adjourned the matter.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 11, 2018 11:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).