In a brazen violation of heritage laws and in the presence of police, a group of men forcefully buried the body of a 90-year-old woman in front of the tomb of Abdullah Qutb Shah in the historic Qutb Shahi tombs precinct here on Friday night. The burial was carried out after 8 p.m., after a lot of squabbling between the group and the cop.
Mohd. Jaferuddin, who is involved in a court battle with the Department of Archaeology and Museums and others, was among the group who was seen arguing with the cop, a Sub-Inspector from the Golconda police station.
According to the police, the body, which was buried there, was that of his relative.
Mr. Jaferuddin told the police that he had a 200-year-old document stating that his family is allowed to bury the deceased in the tombs’ premises.
The burial is in complete violation of heritage laws, as the Qutb Shahi tombs is a protected monument, said a heritage activist. On asking how it was allowed to take place even in the presence of the police, Ghouse Moinuddin, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Golconda, said that Mr. Jaferuddin had a document allowing him to carry out the burial, and that other family members of his were buried there in 2006 and 2013 as well.
On pointing out that it was just a claim without substantial proof, and that the burial carried out was in violation of heritage laws, Mr. Moinuddin said, “You should ask him (Jaferuddin) about it, as he has a 200-year old gazette allowing his family to bury deceased members there. Also, officials of the Department of Archaeology and Museums were there, and we did not receive any complaint from them,” he added.
The ACP said that action will be taken if the police receive a written complaint. N.R. Visalatchy, director, State Department of Archaeology and Museums, was not available for comment.
The woman’s body was buried near the site exhibit in the Qutb Shahi tombs premises, which is currently being restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).
