The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a status quo on the transfer of land in the Baradari area that houses the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Dinanagar township of Gurdaspur district.The status quo has been ordered till August 13. The persons who are allegedly trying to transfer the property have also moved the high court.Some colonisers were trying to transfer land in their names despite the fact that the palace has been declared “protected property”.The palace has been lying in a dilapidated state for quite some time with the authorities turning a blind eye towards its repair and renovation.A “protected structure” or “protected property” is a site of remnants of archaeological and historical value designated by the government as worthy of preservation. Such monuments are safeguarded against destruction, alterations and encroachments.The palace has had no protection whatsoever from either natural calamities or man-made ones. Certain people were trying to encroach upon the palace and adjoining land when the petitioners Navan Bir Gill and Maninder Singh filed a PIL in the high court.They contended that the monument has been facing severe threats from unauthorised colonisation, encroachment, sale and illegal construction activities. The petitioners claimed that there has been constant interference by unauthorised personnel at the monument and which has led to irreversible damage of the palace.This is seen as a significant move by heritage lovers to preserve the historical legacy of the Sikh empire.The court expressed concern over the allegations of land transfer despite the monument’s protected status. The Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, has directed that status quo be maintained with regard to the property in question until the next hearing, which is scheduled for August 13.This order brings temporary relief to the preservation efforts, halting any further alteration to the site while the court examines the matter alongside related pending litigation.