In Brief
The Supreme Court dismissed appeals by restaurant and guesthouse owners in Hampi's protected archaeological zone. The appellants had constructed commercial establishments on their land after the area was declared protected under the 1961 Monuments Act. The Court held that the 1988 notification immediately imposed binding restrictions on land use and construction. These violations could not be cured by the later enactment of the Hampi Heritage Act. The Court found the preservation authority was entitled to demolish the illegal structures to protect this UNESCO World Heritage site. Appeals were dismissed and demolition was ordered."
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