The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Thursday sealed 54 jewellery and bullion-related shops in Delhi's Chandni Chowk over alleged unauthorised commercial use of basements, according to traders.

The action was carried out in Kucha Mahajani around 11.30 am, said Yogesh Singhal, president of the All India Bullion and Jewellers Association.

Traders said notices had been affixed to several shops across multiple buildings before the sealing action was carried out simultaneously. They further claimed that gold and silver jewellery and bullion worth crores of rupees were locked inside the sealed premises.

The action comes amid an intensified MCD drive against dangerous and unauthorised structures in the national capital following the Satya Niketan building collapse, in which seven people were killed.

TRADERS QUESTION ACTION
Traders alleged that the MCD and police reached Kucha Mahajani and carried out the sealing without giving shopkeepers adequate prior notice. They said several shopkeepers became aware of the action only after reaching their establishments.

The All India Bullion and Jewellers Association questioned whether traders alone should face action in the wake of the Satya Niketan building collapse.

"The question to consider is whether, after the Satya Niketan tragedy, only traders will have to bear the brunt of this tragedy or whether action will also be taken against any government department and politicians," the association said in a statement.

According to the traders, the notices pasted on the shops were backdated. One notice shared by the association was dated May 12, 2026.

The notice directed the concerned party to stop the misuse of the basement and bring the premises within the permitted use under Master Plan-2021 within 48 hours. It also stated that the premises could be sealed for commercial activity.

JEWELLERY LOCKED INSIDE
Traders also expressed concern over the substantial quantity of gold and silver jewellery and bullion that remains inside the sealed shops.

They said jewellery worth crores belonging to jewellers is currently locked inside the premises and urged authorities to take the situation into consideration.

As of now, there has been no immediate response from the MCD to the traders' claims.

Courtesy: India Today