New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said that the over a century-old Devaraja Market and the Lansdowne Building in Mysuru should be protected, with necessary renovation and restoration work carried out.

The market and building were constructed in the 1880s during the reign of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore.

A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi passed the order on May 4 after examining a report of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, on the condition of the two structures.

The apex court had, in September last year, asked the IIT-Roorkee director to constitute an expert committee to evaluate the market and the building, their current condition, and the extent to which they could be preserved as heritage structures.

The bench was hearing a plea challenging an August 2023 order of the Karnataka High Court, which had rejected a petition seeking a direction to the authorities to refrain from demolishing or reconstructing the market and the building.

While hearing the matter on May 4, the bench noted the committee's final conclusions and recommendations. The committee opined that both the Devaraja Market and the Lansdowne Building can be restored and conserved in view of their immense heritage value.

"It is crucial to note that both structures are part of the Ensemble of Civic Architecture of Mysuru. Further, they embody interconnected and interdependent values, underlining the relevance of these structures in contemporary times and their renewed sustenance in the future," the report said.

It said a detailed and scientifically sound evaluation needs to be undertaken, and a conservation plan needs to be implemented for restoring these structures.

The report said many severely deteriorated or damaged elements of the structures would even need reconstruction as part of this overall restoration work.

The bench asked the apex court registry to provide a copy of the report to the counsel appearing for the respective parties.

"In view of the report of the committee, we are of the view that both the structures should be protected and necessary renovations and restoration work should be undertaken," the bench said.

It further said that a comprehensive plan needed to be prepared by the Mysuru City Corporation and the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. The bench directed both to proceed further in line with the report of the committee.

"Let the necessary exercise be undertaken at the earliest so as to ensure that no further damage is caused to the two structures," the top court said.

It said the corporation and the authority shall also look into the recommendations and suggestions made by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

The bench posted the matter for further hearing on July 30.

In September last year, the top court noted that, as per INTACH's report, the structures could be preserved with some repair and retrofitting.