India, Jan. 31 -- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has told the Bombay High Court that Savarkar Sadan in Shivaji Park - which once housed Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar - cannot be declared a centrally protected monument of national importance as it is not more than 100 years old, as required under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

In an affidavit filed in court on Thursday, Abhijit Ambekar, Superintending Archaeologist at ASI, said that Savarkar Sadan was "suitable for inclusion either in the state protected monument or BMC heritage list". This would prevent demolition of the structure and ensure its preservation in future, he said.

The affidavit clarified that as per section 2 o...