New Delhi: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Friday sought a direction from the Supreme Court that sealing operations be suspended in the capital and that the exercise commence only after a review of the law and order situation by the government and the court-appointed Monitoring Committee.

After counsel Sanjiv Sen made a mention before Justices K.G. Balakrishnan and Lokeshwar Singh Panta about the filing of the fresh plea, the judges posted the matter for hearing on November 6 by a Bench headed by Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, along with the applications filed by the Centre and the one already filed by the MCD.

The MCD said it would do its utmost to comply with any order passed by the court. However, there were serious practical difficulties in resuming sealing of illegal commercial establishments in residential areas now.

The application said all affected parties and organisations called a three-day bandh in the city. Apart from all markets remaining closed, the protest led to widespread unrest among the general public and there were reports of violence in various parts of Delhi. Several buses were burnt and the agitators targeted public and private property. More than 20 vehicles were damaged or burnt by the mob and traffic was blocked in various parts. The application said the Delhi Government at various levels reviewed the situation and it was of the view that commencement of sealing operations at present would lead to a serious law and order problem. Although the bandh was over on Wednesday, the situation was still volatile.

Court panel submits report

Meanwhile, the monitoring committee filed a report, in a sealed cover, in the court. According to highly placed sources, the committee has given an account of the incidents in the last few days and its meeting with officials and the Group of Ministers appointed to look into the sealing issue.

The sources said it was only a status report and no recommendation had been made. It was up to the court to pass any order on the basis of the report.

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