Delhi High Court tells DPL to preserve its books

The Delhi High Court today asked the historic Delhi Public Library (DPL) to preserve its books which are locked since November last year.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar observed that since the DPL is locked and its members have been prohibited from entering the premises, the books and other valuables lying there might get damaged.

It directed the authorities to remove the books, CDs, computers, catalogues and other important material lying in the library to be shifted to the head office or any other safe location.

The court passed the order after it was informed that the books may get damaged as the building has been locked since November 15 last year.

The first Delhi Public Library was started by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru across the old Delhi railway station way back in 1951.

The bench refrained from passing any order on the DPL Board’s application seeking direction to repair the holes in ceiling of the library so that it can be used partially. 

The bench said it will deal with this aspect on January 16 next year. The court on December 4 last year had extended till March 20 its order restraining North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) from demolishing the building.