Delhi desealing law challenged in apex court

NEW DELHI: Even as uncertainty looms large on the Centre’s hurried notification aimed at nullifying the Supreme Court’s (SC’s) sealing order, a social organisation, Delhi Pradesh Citizen Council, challenged on Tuesday the validity of the law for benefiting commercial establishments in the election year.

The court-appointed monitoring committee has, however, asked all civic bodies to not start unlocking shops and offices unless the apex court upheld its legality.

Challenging the January 30 notification, the council said it had been issued for political consideration and was an attempt to overreach the court’s orders. It also termed the notification “colourable exercise” aimed at protecting violators of civic laws.

A day after the notification was issued, urban development minister Jaipal Reddy had said it was legally valid. However, the monitoring committee feels the notification openly flouts the SC orders on sealing.