India, Sept. 25 -- The Delhi High Court on Wednesday stressed that Tughlaqabad Fort is a monument of national importance, and that it must remain free of encroachment to preserve its historical heritage and ethos, as it constituted a seven-member committee to devise a comprehensive policy for removing unauthorised occupants and illegal structures in and around the fort area.

A bench of chief justice DK Upadhyay and justice Tushar Rao Gedela said the committee, headed by the Union housing ministry's secretary, will first conduct a detailed survey before finalising its policy.

Besides the ministry secretary, the panel includes the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Delhi government's housing secretary, the m...