Police Probe Shiva Ritual Conducted at Protected Mehtab Bagh Near Taj Mahal

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has lodged a formal police complaint after a religious ceremony dedicated to Lord Shiva was carried out inside the Mehtab Bagh complex, a Mughal‑era garden that sits on the north bank of the Yamuna River opposite the Taj Mahal. Video footage circulating online shows a group of unidentified participants performing the puja, offering gangajal and unfurling a flag bearing religious symbols.

Mehtab Bagh, which is under ASI protection, is classified as a heritage site and is subject to strict regulations that prohibit unauthorised religious or political activities. Officials from the ASI indicated that the ceremony violated the preservation norms governing the garden, prompting them to alert local law‑enforcement agencies.

Uttar Pradesh police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and have begun an investigation to identify those responsible. Early leads point to members of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, a right‑wing Hindu organization, as possible participants, though the investigation remains open‑ended. Authorities have not disclosed the exact number of individuals involved or the precise timeline of the event.

The FIR cites potential contraventions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, which forbids any form of worship or political gathering at protected monuments without prior permission. Investigators are reviewing the video material, tracing the flag’s origin, and canvassing nearby residents for additional information. The ASI has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding heritage sites from activities that could compromise their structural integrity or cultural neutrality. The case underscores the ongoing tension between heritage preservation mandates and spontaneous religious expressions in India’s historic locales.