Sealing drive in Delhi: Supreme Court orders de-sealing (for now) of a lawyers’ office at Hauz Khas

In an interim order that was passed today, the Supreme Court directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to de-seal the basement of a property in Hauz Khas, which was being used as office by lawyers..A Bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta passed the order in an application filed by the advocates who were using the space as an office..The office, which is located at Hauz Khas Main Market, was sealed by SDMC as part of the sealing drive..In the hearing today, it was contended by the applicants that the space was being used as an office by some lawyers. It was further submitted that the activity being a professional activity, is permissible in terms of the Building By-laws of 1983 and 2016. The applicants also stated that conversion charges of Rs. 45 lakh was paid for the entire building..The Court noted the same before issuing notice to SDMC and also directed that the basement be de-sealed to the extent that it can be used as lawyers’ office..“The concerned officer of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) should de-seal the basement to the extent that it can be used as a lawyers’ office until the next date of hearing.”.The matter is now listed for hearing on February 9..Read the order below.