The 400-year old Badeshahi Ashoorkhana was cleared of all illegal structures on Wednesday. In an early morning swoop, Revenue and State Archaeology officials descended on the historic monument situated at Patherghatti and started removing the encroachments.
The move followed the directions given by a division bench of the High Court asking the authorities to clear the encroachments and give a compliance report by Thursday. Three houses situated in the compound of the Ashoorkhana were however left untouched.
A protected monument built by the city founder, Mohammed Quli Qqutb Shah, the Ashoorkhana has turned into a dumping yard over the years. It also developed as an auction house and a parking lot.
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Contrary to expectations, there was no resistance at all to the operation demolition which commenced at 6.30 a.m. Sensing the seriousness of the court direction, most of the encroachers had shifted their goods in the night itself.
A heavy contingent of police comprising RAF, APSP and civil personnel were deployed to ensure nothing untoward happened. “We will immediately take up the restoration and conservation works,” said P. Chenna Reddy, director, department of archaeology and museums.