Supreme Court orders de-sealing

The Supreme Court on Wednesday permitted Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to de-seal establishments in unauthorised colonies, schools, dispensaries, religious and cultural institutions, storages, warehouses and godowns, built on agricultural land.

A special Bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat, however, said the de-sealing would take place only after the owners of the property gives an undertaking, in the form of an affidavit, that it shall abide by the

court’s final order, yet to be passed on a petition challenging the legality of the Centre’s notification permitting continuation of commercial activity in the specified areas.

Most of these properties are those that had been sealed in accordance with the Supreme Court’s earlier order.

The Bench further added that in cases where the MCD has de-sealed the premises, owners have to give an undertaking within 10 days to abide by the court order.

The court said a public notice should be issued for the purpose of implementation of the order. The format of the

notice shall be worked out by the MCD after consulting senior advocate Ranjit Kumar who is assisting the court in the sealing case.

Meanwhile, the MCD, Delhi Development Authority, Union of India and New Delhi Municipal Corporation have been directed to file their response to the petition challenging the notification by April end.