Balli denies seal-breaking allegations

New Delhi, Oct 10 (UNI) BJP MLA from Harinagar in West Delhi Harsharan Singh Balli, facing contempt of court proceedings for breaking the seals of commercial premises sealed under the Supreme Court order has denied the allegation.

In his affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, Balli has demanded adequate compensation against his illegal arrest and detention by the police for leading anti-sealing demonstration.

He has also demanded a CBI inquiry against those who allegedly misled the Supreme Court appointed monitoring committee leading to issuance of suo moto notice of contempt against him.

In a somewhat confusing and self contradictory averment the BJP MLA has also justified his opposition to the sealing of properties as elected representative of the people of Delhi.

In the last para, Balli has however submitted himself to the prospective punishment which may be imposed upon him by the Apex Court in order to uphold the majesty of law and the sanctity of the orders of this court. Balli has also charged the judiciary with exceeding its limits by assuming the power and decisions that legitimately vest in the executive i.e. the elected government of the people. He has also said ''I believe that the separation of power between the executive and the judiciary has been obliterated in the recent years''.

Balli who was present in the court personally today also said that the copies of two video records showing him breaking the seals had not been supplied to him despite orders of the court.

Bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justices C K Thakkar and R V Raveendran also directed the MCD to place on record the inquiry report against the superintending engineer who was allegedly found taking bribes for sparing some premises from sealing.

The court was not satisfied with the statement of MCD counsel who said that major penalty of reducing three increments in the present time pay scale with cumulative effect for three years has been imposed on the erring official. One Assistant Engineer has already been dismissed from service for the same offence.

The court also told the MCD counsel to do his homework before making submissions to the court.

In all 22 persons are facing prosecution for tampering with the seals put by MCD on commercial premises operating from residential areas in Delhi.

The court also directed MCD to take immediate steps for serving the unserved respondents and directed that the matter be listed for hearing after the service was complete. The court will hear and decide Balli's case along with other contemnors.

UNI AKS/SC MQA VV1743