Thursday, January 20 2005 16:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The viewing of Taj during moonlit nights would go on as per schedule as the Supreme Court today brushed aside the "grave concern" expressed over "security lapses" by its Commissioner.

A Bench comprising Justice Ruma Pal, Justice S B Sinha and Justice S H Kapadia said no orders were required to be passed on an application filed by Court Commissioner and advocate Krishan Mahajan detailing his apprehensions after an on the spot inspection.

He stated that there was no system put in place by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to check the identity of a person entering the premises to view Taj in moonlit nights and that the sophisticated equipment purchased for frisking visitors were lying idle.

Appearing for ASI, advocate A D N Rao termed the report as a "red herring" and said that all security measures were put in place and that the directions of the apex Court were followed in letter and spirit.

He said in the name of establishing the identity of the visitors, the ASI should not get into a roving inquiry about their background. "Even when one buys a ticket to board a train or a aeroplane, such inquiries are not done," he said.

The Bench agreed with Rao and said as long as proper physical frisking of the visitors were taking place and they were kept at a safe distance from the monument, there was no danger to the Taj Mahal.

On the allegation that sophisticated equipment were lying idle, the ASI said that these were meant for installation at the facilitation room under construction and has nothing to do with the present security set-up.