SC stays sealing of premises protected by DM Plan

New Delhi, Feb 12: The Supreme Court today directed the authorities not to seal any premises till April 10 which are protected by the Delhi Master Plan 2021 notified by the government on February 7 this year.

A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat, P K Thakker, and R V Raveendran also directed that the feasibility and validity of the new master plan will be tested by this court on the touchstone of providing for appropriate infastructure which includes basic amenities like water, electricity, roads, and sewage system.

The Supreme Court also directed that in this case no individual petioner will be entertained and all petitions will be heard through amicus curiae senior counsel Ranjit Kumar.

The court also directed that the petition filed by residents' wellfare association and Delhi Pradesh Citizens' Council challenging their new Master Plan 2021 will be treated as interim application in the main matter and will be tagged with it.

While fixing April 10 as the next date of hearing the apex court granted major relief to about three lakh traders in Delhi whose commercial establishments are located along 2183 roads where commercial activities have been permitted by the government through notifications dated September 7 and 15, 2006.

The court issued today's directions on the two applications filed by the Union government and the MCD seeking extension of time for traders to file affidavit and also seeking stay against the apex court order dated September 29 and October 18 last year directing sealing of commercial establishments operating from residential areas illegally, till the master plan is examined by this court.

The Master Plan provides for regularisation of about 1500 unauthorised colonies spread all over Delhi besides encouraging the vertical development of the national capital by increasing the permisible height of a building from 11 to 15 metres.

UNI