Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 30-07-2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Petitioners – G. Satyanarayana @ Gouri Satya & Anr.; Respondents – State of Karnataka & others including Mysuru City Corporation.
  • Background: Petition stems from High Court of Karnataka judgment (08‑08‑2023, WP No.15215/2020) that dismissed a PIL seeking a writ of mandamus to stop demolition of Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building, both declared heritage structures under Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961 and Master Plan 2031.
  • Prior Supreme Court Orders:
  • 04‑12‑2024: Directed that Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and INTACH be impleaded.
  • 21‑07‑2024: INTACH to file detailed structural and preservation report within four weeks; ASI to file affidavit.
  • INTACH Report (Annexure R‑1, pages 11‑111) highlighted:
  • Both buildings possess immense cultural, historic and architectural value; classified in Group A (Devaraja Market) and Group E/A (Lansdowne) zones of Master Plan 2031.
  • Structural investigations show adequacy of vertical load‑bearing masonry and lateral walls; no global collapse risk.
  • Moderate cracks in masonry; severe vulnerability in roofing elements requiring immediate evacuation of occupants and temporary support.
  • Foundations and geotechnical bearing capacity are adequate.
  • Recommendations: block‑wise restoration, detailed conservation plan, maintenance manual, systematic repair after further analysis.
  • IIT Roorkee Committee Report (ordered by Court, eight‑week deadline, Rs 5 lakh funded by Mysuru City Corporation) reaffirmed INTACH findings and added quantitative distress data:
  • Approximately 70 % of vertical elements (walls, columns) are in mild‑to‑moderate distress – repairable.
  • About 70 % of horizontal elements (roofs, slabs) are in moderate‑to‑severe distress, needing comprehensive restoration or reconstruction.
  • In Devaraja Market, 75 % of Madras‑terrace and jack‑arch roof area requires urgent intervention; brick barrel vault is comparatively better.
  • Recent RCC extensions exhibit corrosion and spalling.
  • In Lansdowne Building, 70 % vertical elements are mild, 20 % moderate, 10 % severe; 65 % of first‑floor slabs are moderately distressed, 25 % severely; 80 % of terrace slabs are severely deteriorated.
  • Past unsupervised interventions (mezzanine floors, RCC/steel additions, incompatible plaster, blocked drainage) have accelerated deterioration.
  • Committee recommends removal of such additions, restoration to original architectural form, and establishment of a robust maintenance regime with accountability.
  • Subsequent Court Directions (hearing on 30‑07‑2026):

1. Implead IIT Roorkee as Respondent No.7; issue notice to its Director.

2. Direct Mysuru City Corporation (Respondent No.2) to deposit Rs 5,00,000 with IIT Roorkee for expert committee expenses.

3. Order IIT Roorkee to constitute an expert committee and submit a sealed report within eight weeks.

4. Direct Respondents No.2 (Mysuru City Corporation) and No.3 (presumably State of Karnataka) to prepare comprehensive renovation and restoration plans in line with INTACH and IIT Roorkee recommendations.

5. Require both respondents to act on INTACH’s suggestions and ensure block‑wise repair, removal of unsound additions, and preparation of maintenance manuals.

6. Schedule next hearing for 06‑08‑2026 for final disposal.

Final Outcome

  • The Supreme Court has affirmed that both Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building can be preserved; it mandates block‑wise structural repair, removal of inappropriate past alterations, preparation of detailed conservation and maintenance plans, and allocation of funds (Rs 5 lakh) for expert assessment. The Court has also ordered the issuance of a tender for renovation contractors and set a follow‑up hearing on 06‑08‑2026.

Topics: Heritage Preservation, Structural Conservation, Judicial Intervention