Sealing in Delhi : SC asks civic chief to file affidavit

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the chairman of wards committee of the Najafgarh zone here to respond to the allegation levelled against him by the Forum of MCD Engineers that he had allegedly threatened the officials for carrying out sealing of unauthorised constructions in Delhi.

A bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta asked Mukesh Suryan, who is the chairman of wards committee of Najafgarh zone, to file an affidavit responding to the notice issued against him by the apex court in this regard. 

The lawyer representing Suryan, who was present in the court, said they would file an affidavit within two days. 

On July 18, a lawyer assisting the court as amicus curiae in the sealing matter had informed the bench that Forum of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Engineers had told him about the alleged threats given to them by Suryan. 

The bench had then issued notice to Suryan and directed him to personally appear before the apex court to explain about the allegations levelled against him. 

During the hearing on Tuesday, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) placed before the bench the file relating to transfer of Najafgarh zone deputy commissioner Vishvendra Singh, who was shifted "within hours" allegedly at Suryan's instance. 

"We would like an affidavit to be filed by a responsible officer of the SDMC explaining the transfer of Vishvendra Singh," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on July 30. 

The apex court had earlier directed that there would be "no stopping of sealing or demolition" of unauthorised constructions in Delhi after the Centre had said it had not given any instructions to civic bodies to go slow or stop the sealing drive against offending structures. 

It had also directed that adequate police protection be given to the officials whenever sealing drive would be carried out by them. 

The top court is dealing with the issue of validity of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006 and subsequent legislations which protect unauthorised constructions from being sealed.