Science dept office among those sealed in Delhi

An office of the Department of Science and Technology, a boutique owned by designer Satya Paul, and a government-run wine shop were among the prominent targets of the sealing teams as the drive against unauthorised businesses in residential areas here gained momentum today.

The squads of Municipal Corporation of Delhi sealed as many as 261 premises in South and South-West Delhi, taking the total number of properties that faced the court-ordered action to 738 after the drive was resumed on November 8.

The Supreme Court monitoring panel has asked the MCD to deploy 30 more squads to increase the number of sealings per day as the law and order situation has improved.

The panel's direction came as the government informed the apex court about the security arrangements made to carry out the sealing drive.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will tomorrow hear the plea of the Centre and MCD seeking relief for about 25,000 traders, who had given undertakings to stop misuse of residential premises, from the drive.