54 jewelry shops sealed in one day; gold, silver worth crores inside; here’s why

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Municipal Corporation has sealed 54 jewellery shops situated in Chandni Chowk. The action was taken citing the unauthorised use of the basements of the jewellery shops.

The corporation officials arrived at all the shops at the same time. The traders’ said notices were stuck in the shops before sealing it. However, they alleged that the action was taken without prior notice. The traders also said that the sealed shops contain jewellery and gold bars worth crores of rupees and demanded that the corporation take measures to ensure the safety and protection of these valuables.

The corporation has intensified inspections concerning the safety of buildings following the collapse of a paying guest (PG) hostel building for students in Satya Niketan, in which seven people were killed. However, questions are being raised on whether traders alone should face action in connection with the Satya Niketan hostel tragedy. Some traders also pointed that the dates mentioned in some of the notices stuck on the shops were incorrect and appeared to carry old dates.

The notices demand that the misuse of the basements be stopped and that they be brought into compliance, within 48 hours, with the permitted uses under the Master Plan-2021. The notices also state that the building may be sealed if the basement is being used for commercial purposes.