In a significant ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court rejected a petition that sought to designate Agra, along with several historical monuments including the Taj Mahal, as world heritage sites. The bench, led by Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustin George Masih, questioned the feasibility and benefits of such a designation.
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The court express skepticism about the proposal, asking how a city can declare a world heritage site and what tangible benefits it would bring, such as improvements in cleanliness. The justices emphasized that the petitioner had not provided sufficient evidence on how the designation would benefit the city or contribute to its preservation.
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that Agra, with its history spanning over 1,000 years and numerous significant monuments, warranted protection and recognition. Despite these arguments, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition, stating that it lacked justification for the proposed designation.
