Shillong, Dec 10: The Meghalaya High Court on Monday sought a report on heritage status of the building of St Anthony’s Lower Primary school at Don Bosco Square in the city.
In its order on a PIL seeking to stop the proposed demolition of the school building, the bench comprising chief justice IP Mukerji and justice B Bhattacharjee directed authorities concerned to nominate any senior official to inspect the school building, make the necessary preliminary inquiry and prima facie report.
The court also requested assistant advocate general (AAG) K Khan to make submissions with regard to the heritage status of the school building on the basis of the inquiry.
Meanwhile, the court ordered that a copy of the petition along with an appropriate notice be sent to the respondent school authorities.
The PIL filed by Raphael Warjri, an artist based in Shillong, stated that the building is Assam-type colonial structure and of significant architectural and historical value.
The school management had proposed demolition of the building, the petitioner said while urging the move to be stopped and ensure preservation of the building.
“Learned counsel for the petitioner also submitted that the school is actively proceeding to commence demolition work,” the court said.
