Bhopal Sealing Row Reaches Delhi: Top MP Officials To Meet Solicitor General Ahead Of Supreme Court Hearing

Bhopal's ongoing sealing drive has reached a critical juncture as senior Madhya Pradesh officials journeyed to Delhi to deliberate on their next steps in light of the Supreme Court's stringent stance and the potential for contempt proceedings against the state government. BMC Commissioner Sanskriti Jain and Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Administration) Sanjay Dubey arrived on Wednesday and are set to meet Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta on Thursday.

The meeting is anticipated to center on presenting the original files and documents to the Supreme Court, as per the court's directives. The officials are also expected to explore the options of seeking legal relief or additional time to conduct the sealing exercise. The BMC must furnish its Action Taken Report (ATR) by September 12, ahead of the Supreme Court's hearing on September 15.

Sources indicate that the government aims to present its compliance position clearly before the court, which has previously expressed dissatisfaction with delays in carrying out its orders. The sealing campaign, which escalated over the past two days, witnessed a slowdown on Wednesday due to strong opposition from traders. The government has reportedly unofficially requested the corporation to decelerate the exercise, although no formal order has been issued.

This has left the BMC in a predicament, as continuing the operation could further incite opposition from traders, while ceasing it without a formal directive could pose challenges in the compliance report to the Supreme Court. Officials estimate that over 8,200 establishments could face action under the ongoing drive, and at the current rate, completing the process could take approximately two-and-a-half years.

The BMC is contemplating whether to seek additional time or other legal avenues before the Supreme Court. The corporation is also opting for a low-key approach to enforcement, refraining from disclosing details of the sealing operations and not briefing the BMC's public relations department. Sources suggest that the BMC is apprehensive that extensive publicity might instill panic among traders, leading to crowd gatherings or confrontations during enforcement activities.

In a symbolic act of protest, traders staged a funeral in Bhopal's Kolar area to voice their discontent with the shop sealing drive.