Sealing Case: SC summons Delhi Police Commissioner

New Delhi, Apr 10: The Supreme Court today directed Delhi Police Commissioner K K Paul to be personally present in the court tomorrow to explain the circumstances under which the adequate police force was not provided for sealing of commercial premises not protected by the new Master Plan Delhi(MPD)2021.

The step was taken in view of the ''irresponsible attitude'' of Delhi police in not providing protection to the sealing sleuths of Municipal Corporation of Delhi(MCD).

A three-judge bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat, C K Thakker and Lokeshwar Singh Panta however made it clear that this court has not given any protection to encroachers and also to those who are not protected by MPD 2021.

The court also directed the MCD commissioner to file an affidavit, explaining why sealing was not resumed from April 8 despite the orders of the court.

The apex court also directed the area police-incharge to be personally present in the court tomorrow.

The court asked the DDA to file an affidavit giving information regarding the provision of infrastructure including basic amenities like water, electricity, parking and schools.

Adjourning the hearing of the main petition challenging the new master plan to May 7, the court made it clear that it was presently protecting only authorised constructions being used for commercial purposes and unauthorised constructions on an individual property and clarified that the authority is free to go after encroachers and land grabbers and also those commercial premises not protected by MPD 2021.

UNI