New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea seeking to declare the Gumti of Shaikh Ali as a monument of national importance observing that it has lost its originality.

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and V. Kameswar Rao dismissed the plea filed by one Rajeev Suri who has sought protection of the Gumti of Shaikh Ali, a monument situated in Defence Colony in south Delhi.

Suri's counsel Jayant Tripathi told the court that the monument is of the Lodi period.

He requested the court to protect the monument under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act).

Archaeological Survey of India told the court that Central government is the authority to take final decision with regard to declaring any monument as a national monument or Centrally protected monument.

ASI said that it is not possible to bring the monument of Defence Colony under protection of AMASRA Act as the residents association had carried out major additions and alterations due to which the "Gumti" has lost its originality.

At present, the Defence Colony Residents Association has been using the Gumti as its office.