NEW DELHI: At least 56 jewellery and bullion-related shops in Chandni Chowk’s Kucha Mahajani were sealed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Thursday, traders claimed, adding that jewellery and bullion worth crores remain locked inside the premises.The action comes amid an intensified MCD enforcement drive against dangerous and illegal buildings across the city following the Satya Niketan building collapse, in which seven people were killed, news agency PTI reported.Yogesh Singhal, president of the All India Bullion and Jewellers Association, said notices were posted on the shops and the sealing took place around 11.30am on Thursday.“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 traders, the notices affixed to the shops are backdated.One notice shared by the traders’ association is dated May 12, 2026, PTI reported.“Basement of the property in question, directing thereby to stop misuse of the basement and bring the premises within the permitted use of Master Plan-2021 within 48 hours, as to why the aforesaid be not sealed for commercial activity,” the notice read.Traders claimed that MCD and police officials arrived at Kucha Mahajani and, without prior notice, posted notices on several shops across multiple buildings before carrying out the sealing simultaneously, PTI reported.They said gold and silver jewellery worth crores belonging to jewellers remains locked inside the sealed shops.Traders also stated that they realised what was happening only after arriving at their shops.The association expressed concern over the significant quantity of gold and silver jewellery locked inside the sealed premises.The MCD has not yet issued an immediate response.(With agency inputs)
