Court clarifies on desealing issue

Supreme Court clarified any alteration in the building plans by traders will be subject to the outcome of a case challenging the validity of MPD 2021, reports Bhadra Sinha.

Permitting shop owners deriving benefit out of the latest amendments in the Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) 2021 to resume their business, the Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified any alteration in the building plans by traders will be subject to the outcome of a case challenging the validity of MPD 2021.

HT Image

A Bench asked the monitoring committee to deseal such properties after examining the affidavits of property owners, but said changes should be carried out at their own risk.

One of the controversial amendments made by the DDA to the MPD relates to granting permission for carrying out commercial activities on the ground floor and basements. With the SC’s nod, alterations in residential buildings would be permitted temporarily, until the apex court gives a verdict.

The Bench passed the order while hearing an application of NGO Delhi Pradesh Council, which complained the DDA had on August 12 issued a notification carrying out 37 amendments even as MPD-2021 was under court’s scrutiny.

This means if the court decides against regularisation, the colonies that have been granted provisional certificates would be at the risk of getting derecognised.