SC issues notice to Bihar Govt on plea challenging iconic Patna's Collectorate Building Demolition

On Friday, the Apex Court issued notice to the Govt of Bihar on a petition challenging the Patna High Court's order giving go-ahead to the Municipal Corporation for proceeding with the demolition of the iconic Collectorate Building in Patna City.

A Bench headed by CJI SA Bobde sought a reply from the Govt of Bihar within 2 weeks & also ordered to maintain the status quo in the matter, which means the building wont be demolished as of now.

The lawyer appearing for the Indian National Trust For Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH) told the Bench that the building has historical importance. He said it was built by Dutch traders in the 18th century & used for the storage of Opium & Saltpeter.

On Sept 6, the High Court of Patna rejected INTACH's plea against the demolition of the building also known as Afim Ka Bhandar.

The HC has ordered the demolition of the building & found that the structure, which the State had planned to demolish to make way for a new building, had no aesthetic, historical, or cultural significance.

In 2019, the Bihar Govt announced its intention to demolish the building to free up space for a new Govt complex, this was opposed & campaigns had started against the tearing-down of the structure.

The building, originally a Dutch trading centre for storage of opium & spices before it was transported via river Ganga, was later used as the Collectorate Building during the British regime.

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