The Hindu : Front Page : Don't make sealing a political issue: court

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Friday, Jan 26, 2007
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Don't make sealing a political issue: court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday warned the Centre against making the sealing issue a political matter and refused to extend the deadline of January 31 for the traders to file undertakings to stop the misuse of residential premises for commercial purposes in the national capital.

"Traders only had to file the affidavits. Where is the question of extending the time," a Bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice D.K. Jain said declining the request of the Centre to hear its application before the deadline.

"What is the need for extending the deadline," asked the Bench when Additional Solicitor General Amrender Sharan mentioned the application of the Ministry of Urban Development stating that in view of the upcoming Master Plan for Delhi 2021, the relief provided by its earlier orders of September 29 and October 18, 2006 be extended further.

When the ASG said if the relief sought by the Centre was not granted then the authorities would be left with no option but to resume the sealing drive, the Bench shot back saying "you do whatever you like." The repeated submission by the ASG to consider its application before January 31 annoyed the Bench which said "do not make this a political matter."

At the outset, the application of the Centre and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was opposed by advocate Jasbir Singh Mallik, appearing for residents welfare associations, contending that the court had already extended the deadline twice. — PTI

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