Drive against illegal constructions: MCD seals 54 jewellery stores in Chandni Chowk
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi sealed 54 jewellery shops operating from basements in Chandni Chowk on 10 September 2026 as part of a crackdown on unauthorised commercial use. Traders allege they received no prior notice and that some shops are actually on the ground floor, not basements.
- ✓The Municipal Corporation of Delhi sealed 54 jewellery shops operating from basements in Chandni Chowk on 10 September 2026 as part of a crackdown on unauthorised commercial use.
- ✓The MCD officials arrived at approximately 11:30 a.m., affixed sealing notices, and locked the shops without prior warning.
- ✓Traders allege they received no prior notice and that some shops are actually on the ground floor, not basements.
The Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) carried out a sealing operation against 54 jewellery retailers that were running businesses from basement spaces in the Kucha Mahajani area of Chandni Chowk. The action, taken on 10 September 2026, was executed under the direction of a monitoring committee and the Supreme Court, citing violations of the Unified Building Bye‑Laws 2016 and the Master Plan of Delhi 2021.
The sealed premises span four buildings, with the order referencing a show‑cause notice issued on 19 November 2019 under Section 345‑A of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. After multiple hearing opportunities in 2025 and a failure to pay a penalty calculated at twelve times the annual conversion charges, a formal sealing order was issued on 17 February 2026. The MCD officials arrived at approximately 11:30 a.m., affixed sealing notices, and locked the shops without prior warning.
The enforcement drive follows the recent collapse of a five‑storey building in Satya Niketan that resulted in seven fatalities, prompting heightened scrutiny of illegal commercial spaces. Traders, including Adesh Kumar Jain of Mohini Market, contend that their shops are situated on the ground floor and have long‑standing registrations with tax and electricity authorities. They criticize the sudden sealing, noting that valuable inventory, customer orders, and personal documents remain locked inside, and warn of broader economic and safety implications for small business owners in the area.
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| Issuing Authority | Delhi NCR Civic & Governance |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | INDIA |
| Jurisdiction | DL State |
| Publication Date | 11 September 2026 |