The Delhi High Court has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to present a comprehensive report on alleged unauthorized constructions in Anil and Bhagwati Markets, located in Chandni Chowk.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over safety and governance in the historic commercial hub.
The bench, comprising Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, issued the order on 12 March 2025, instructing the MCD to submit its findings within six weeks.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for 21 May.
The case was initiated by Sanjay Kumar Vashisht, represented by Advocate Indira Goswami, who called for the immediate demolition of illegal structures in both markets.
The plea also urged the implementation of strict guidelines to prevent fire hazards and ensure effective emergency response measures.
During the proceedings, Advocate Goswami highlighted the risks posed by unregulated construction, emphasizing that poorly executed redevelopment efforts could endanger numerous lives.
She criticized the redevelopment corporation for being ineffective, claiming it functions only as a token entity without fulfilling its primary role of revitalizing the walled city area.
“Instead of fulfilling its objectives, the corporation squanders public funds by maintaining offices without meaningful progress,” she noted.
Advocate Indira Goswami further stated that the petitioner, a long-time Chandni Chowk resident, had repeatedly raised concerns about irregularities and alleged corruption.
Despite filing multiple Right to Information (RTI) applications and approaching various government departments, he reportedly received vague and unhelpful responses.
Advocate Goswami argued that the responsible authorities frequently evade accountability, passing responsibility between departments instead of taking concrete action.
The court will review the matter further in the upcoming hearing.
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