SC raps Centre and DDA, questions their roles in resolving sealing issue

NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing sealing drive by the civic bodies in the national Capital, the Supreme Court on Wednesday rapped the Centre and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) questioning their roles in resolving the matter. "What have you done on the issue of the commercial activities going on in residential areas?" the apex court asked.

The next hearing in the sealing drive matter has been scheduled for April 9, Monday. Traders in Delhi have been demanding an end to the sealing drive in the city. 

Last week, as many as 2,500 markets in Delhi witnessed a complete shutdown as traders had called for a bandh against the sealing drive. The traders had organised a public rally at Ramleela Maidan to protest against the same.

The sealing of shops in the city led to a political war of words even as traders claimed mounting loses and threatened to strike. Trading unions CAIT and CTI had earlier called for a strike which was supported by 2500 trading organisations. 

Assuring the traders of all possible help Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the issue.

Kejriwal had previously lashed out at the Centre for not doing justice to the shopkeepers, claiming that they are facing the brunt of the Centre's faults.

He had appealed to the PM asking for a law to be made against the sealing drive so that the shopkeepers do not face any more harm.