Date:28/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/28/stories/2006042824940300.htm

New Delhi

Commercial complex razed

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI : Amid strong protests from local people, demolition squads of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Thursday razed a huge illegal commercial property at Krishna Nagar in East Delhi.

More than two-dozen shops were operating from this complex while at least two huge halls were also being used from commercial purposes in the building that had come up on a residential plot in connivance with civic body officials posted in Shahdara (South) zone.

Equipped with bulldozers and gas-cutters, the MCD demolition squad began razing the huge four-storey plaza.

Though a crowd that had gathered at the spot tried to resist the drive, but strong police presence forced them to retreat. Enforced beams and roof of the building was razed with the help of gas-cutters.

Occupants of the complex argued with the MCD staff stating that they were not served notices, but the latter said as per the High Court order, there was no need to send notices to demolish illegal buildings. Meanwhile, the civic body's sealing squads targeted more than 350 shops running from residential areas besides de-sealing nearly 250 shops. Area covered during the drive included East of Kailash, Roop Nagar, Indraprastha Extension, Nand Nagri and Roop Nagar.