South Delhi restaurants, shops and offices sealed
NEWDELHI: Civic authorities shut down more than 50 business units including shops and restaurants in south Delhi’s posh Defence Colony market and Chhatarpur on Friday as sealing of unauthorised commercial establishments returned to the national capital after more than 10 years.
The establishments could be de-sealed if they furnished conversion charges and got their maps approved, municipal officials said.
The sealed establishments included Social, Moets, Swagath, Aka Saka and 4S, some of the most popular hang-out joints in Defence Colony. Municipal officials said these establishments were operating “illegally” from residential premises.
In Chhatarpur, at least 10 properties were sealed over Thursday and Friday for alleged misuse of agricultural land for commercial purposes.
The drive came barely a few days after the Supreme Court revived the powerful sealing committee to end rampant illegal construction and misuse of residential premises.
The last such drive in 2006 — also mandated by the top court — had led to the sealing of thousands of commercial establishments in Delhi — from grocery stores to top retail outlets, designer showrooms, and even a government building.
The drive had also led to a face-off between the SC and the Centre, with the court passing sealing orders and the government introducing laws to protect traders.
In 2012, however, the apex court asked the panel to stop sealing premises.