BJP MLA served contempt notice

New Delhi, Aug 17 (UNI)BJP MLA from West Delhi Harcharan Singh Balli today told the Supreme Court that what he did, during the process of sealing of commercial establishments which started on March 29 this year, was in public interest as a representative of the people.

Balli is facing contempt of Court for breaking the seals of shops in violation of the court's orders which directed the MCD to seal premises indulging in commercial activities against the provisions of the Delhi Master Plan.

Bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Mr Justice C K Thakkar, and Mr Justice P K Balasubramanyan also issued fresh contempt of court notices to Balli in connection with the FIR lodged by MCD at police station Rajouri Garden in West Delhi against Balli and others for breaking the seals and directed him to file his reply within four weeks. Earlier notice was for breaking seals in West Zone.

The court had treated the act of breaking the seals as wilful and deliberate defiance of the orders of apex court dated February 16 2006 in which the court had directed the MCD to seal all the premises misusing land along 229 roads in the city which are 80 feet wide. The court also directed the MCD to file a status report within a week stating therein what action has been taken till date against other violators of the court's order. The court also pulled up MCD for taking selective action namely acting against small fry while letting off the big shots and taking action against those who are alleged to have broken the seals put by the MCD under the orders of this court.

The apex court has already directed that the process of resealing of the premises which were desealed after the enactment of Delhi Laws (Special Provision ) Act 2006 suspending the sealing, in the city for a year, shall be resumed from September 16 if the desealed premises failed to stop the misuse suo motu by September 15, 2006.

The number of premises to be resealed are 5006 while 40814 parties had given affidavit of undertaking to the Supreme Court to stop the misuse by June 30 2006, deadline which has already expired.

The Supreme Court has also sought list of those similarly placed commercial premises who did not file affidavits so that action can be initiated against them also.

The government has already assured the people that it will bring in the New Master Plan permitting mixed land use before the next date of hearing so that traders can be spared of the problem that they are facing due to the court's order.

Balli today gave clear indications to the court that he was prepared to face the consequences of defying the court's order.

UNI AKS/SC MQA KN1622