HC Demands Comprehensive Heritage Report After Activist Petitions to Protect Shillong’s Bidhan Bhavan and Other Historic Sites

The Meghalaya High Court has mandated the State Heritage Committee to produce a comprehensive report that identifies all buildings, artefacts, and structures qualifying under Section 3 of the Meghalaya Heritage Act, 2012, along with outlining measures taken for their restoration and preservation. This decision was made by a Division Bench including Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice H.S. Thangkhiew during a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing the proposed demolition of Bidhan Bhavan, also known as Roy Villa, a currently functioning State Circuit House. During the hearings, the Advocate General requested more time to prepare a detailed affidavit after examining the historical records of Bidhan Bhavan and its use as a circuit house.

The court underscored the state’s obligation to protect the region’s historical heritage, referencing the statutory framework provided by the Meghalaya Heritage Act, 2012. It emphasized the importance of preservation for cultural understanding linked to buildings, monuments, and artefacts. The Committee has specifically been tasked with assessing the heritage significance of Bidhan Bhavan, which the court acknowledged likely holds substantial historical value. The state must submit the affidavit by February 5, 2026.

In parallel, Malvika Bisharad, a long-term resident of Shillong, has been pivotal in the effort to conserve Bidhan Bhavan from demolition. She has underscored the historical connections between Shillong and the Roy family of Satkhira, noting Dr. Bidhan Roy’s contributions to the region, including the construction of Bidhan Bhavan in 1920 and his role in electrifying Shillong. Malvika portrayed the structure as integral to the area’s history, noting that it has associations with prominent figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who stayed at the residence during significant visits.

Bisharad has sought support from governmental authorities, delivering a memorandum to the Governor and presenting documents to Chief Justice Sen regarding the building’s historical significance. This representation prompted the initiation of the PIL. Furthermore, she urged the Chief Justice to inspect other historical sites in Shillong, such as Kelsal Lodge and Battibazar, also linked to notable personalities like Swami Vivekananda. Additionally, she raised alarms about the deteriorating condition of Brookside Bungalow, another Tagore-associated site, lamenting that despite its recognition as a heritage site, formal heritage status remains unrecorded, allowing for unregulated construction activities on the premises.