'We are unable to ignore or dismiss the media reports, more so when the record of the Uttar Pradesh government in adhering to its undertakings has not been exemplary,' said the bench.

Ironically, while one bench of the apex court Tuesday reiterated its order to bring to a halt the memorial building spree in Lucknow at a cost of Rs.260 billion, another bench, headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, refused to urgently hear another plea to stop similar construction in Noida.

Advocate Jayant Bhushan, citing the report of a high-powered panel appointed by the court, said the memorial park in Noida was being built without any examination of its impact on environment.

He wanted the court to have the project assessed for environmental impact, but the court deferred the hearing to Oct 9.

The bench headed by Justice Agrawal, meanwhile, asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file its reply to the contempt notice by Sep 17 and slated the matter for further hearing on Sep 18.

Lucknow resident Mithilesh Kumar Singh had challenged the government move to build memorials.