SC orders govt to start Delhi sealing from Mar 28

Taking a serious view of the government approaching the State Election Commission (SEC) on the sealing issue, the Supreme Court today ordered the resumption of sealing of unauthorised structures in the capital that do not conform to the Masterplan 2021 from March 28.

A three-member bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat, D K Jain and P K Balasubraminiam came down heavily on the government for seeking the SEC's consent to carry out the sealing drive when the apex court was already seized of the matter.

The bench rejected the repeated pleas of Additional Solicitor General Amarender Saren who sought postponement of the sealing on the ground that elections to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was scheduled on April 5.

The bench had initially said the sealing would resume on April 6, but subsequently ordered that it be conducted forthwith after the Amicus Curiae Ranjit Kumar complained that the government had insulted the apex court by seeking the SEC's consent instead of approaching the court for clarifications.

The bench said sealing would remain suspended from April 4-7 to facilitate the elections and the counting process.