The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has sealed at least 56 jewellery shops in Chandni Chowk on 10 September, PTI reported, citing traders. The shops are located in Kucha Mahajani, a bullion market in Delhi. Traders said gold and silver jewellery worth crores remained locked inside the sealed shops.
The action reportedly followed stricter checks against dangerous and illegal buildings across Delhi. These checks increased after seven people died in the Satya Niketan building collapse.
Yogesh Singhal said officials sealed the shops around 11.30 AM after posting notices. Singhal heads the All India Bullion and Jewellers Association.
“The question to consider is whether, after the Satya Niketan tragedy, only traders will have to bear the brunt of this tragedy or whether action will also be taken against any government department and politicians,” PTI quoted the association as saying in a statement.
Traders alleged that officials and police had arrived without giving them advance notice. They claimed officials pasted notices and sealed shops in several buildings at the same time. Some traders said they only understood the situation after arriving at their shops.
The association also alleged that the notices carried earlier dates. One shared notice was dated 12 May. It asked owners to stop unauthorised commercial use of basements within 48 hours.
“Basement of the property in question, directing thereby to stop misuse of the basement and bring the premises within the permitted use of Master Plan-2021 within 48 hours, as to why the aforesaid be not sealed for commercial activity,” read the official notice.
The association questioned whether government departments and politicians would also face action. It expressed concern about the valuables trapped inside and the impact on traders. MCD had not responded to these allegations.
A five-storey paying guest building collapsed in Delhi’s . The collapse happened on 6 September, killing seven people and injuring 12. Five of those killed were Delhi University students. The building mainly housed students from outside Delhi.
Initial findings linked the collapse to unsafe changes in the 50-year-old building. Operators allegedly filled their basement with three truckloads of heavy construction waste.
A main support wall was also removed to make space for a shop. The building had five floors although only two were permitted.
Police arrested the owner, his son, the operator and a contractor. The MCD suspended five municipal officials over alleged negligence.
The Supreme Court asked the to continue monitoring the case. It also sought reports on building violations from authorities across state and Union Territory capitals.
