Allahabad HC rejects plea seeking to open 22 closed doors in Taj Mahal

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), May 12: The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court on Thursday rejected the petition seeking the opening of 22 closed rooms in the Taj Mahal to ascertain the presence of the idols of Hindu deities. The hearing seeking an investigation over 22 closed rooms of the Taj Mahal ended on Thursday. The petition was filed by Rajneesh Singh, a BJP youth media in-charge, before the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court that sought the directions to the Archaeological Survey of India to probe the 22 closed doors in the Taj Mahal to ascertain the presence of the idols of Hindu deities. The petition sought the constitution of a fact-finding committee and the submission of a report by the ASI. It further cited the claims by some historians and some Hindu groups about the monument being an old Shiva Temple. Also Read | Rupee hits fresh record low, slips to 77.59 against US dollar "Some Hindu groups and reputable Sants are claiming this monument as old Shiv temple supported by many historians and facts however many Historians believe it as Taj Mahal was built-up by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. Some people also believe that Tejo Mahalaya @ Taj Mahal appears to be one of the Jyotirling i.e. the outstanding Siva Temples," the petition claimed. The petitioner also claimed that the Centre has refused to divulge details of the restrictions within the Archeological Survey of India-managed heritage site in Agra. Also Read | China’s Tibet Airlines plane with 122 on board catches fire on runway; over 40 injured -PTC News