SC to hear applications on sealing drive on Monday

The Supreme Court will hear applications filed by the Centre and Municipal Corporation of Delhi seeking permission for not resuming the sealing drive in the capital on Monday. The drive is aimed at traders who have given undertakings to stop misuse of residential areas for commercial purposes.

The matter was listed for hearing on November 6 after Additional Solicitor General Amarender Sharan and senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for MCD, made mentions before a Bench headed by Justice K G Balakrishnan.

The Bench did not give any interim direction when the Additional Solicitor General sought permission from the court that till the matter comes up for hearing, the authorities be allowed to use their administrative discretion.

"We do not know what is your administrative discretion," the Bench remarked.

The Centre's application, filed by Urban Development Ministry, has sought modification of the September 29 order by which the sealing was to commence on the premises of about 44,000 traders, who were allowed to continue their business till October 31 in view of the festivals.

The MCD has also filed a similar application seeking suspension of the sealing drive against traders who have given an undertaking to prevent misuse of the premises in residential areas.