No notice needed for sealing illegal houses used for commercial purposes in Delhi: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered that no advance notice will be required to give to defaulters before sealing residential premises in Delhi which are misused for commercial purposes. The top court has fixed a time limit of 48 hours to seal such premises.

The apex Court had on Thursday pulled up the Centre for failing to provide a report of the survey conducted of houses in South Delhi's Amar colony to ascertain illegal constructions. The SC had earlier ordered the Centre and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to conduct a survey to find out illegal construction.

In March, as many as 2,500 markets in Delhi witnessed a complete shutdown as traders had called for a bandh against the sealing drive. The traders had organised a public rally at Ramleela Maidan to protest against the same.

The sealing of shops in the city led to a political war of words even as traders claimed mounting loses and threatened to strike. Trading unions CAIT and CTI had earlier called for a strike which was supported by 2500 trading organisations. 

Assuring the traders of all possible help Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the issue.