Fifty-four jewellery and bullion shops in the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi were sealed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Thursday. According to traders, gold and silver jewellery, alongside bullion worth several crores, remains locked within these establishments. The sealing occurred at Kucha Mahajani around 11.30 am, as reported by Yogesh Singhal, president of the All India Bullion and Jewellers Association.

Prior to sealing, notices had been affixed to multiple shops across various buildings. This action is part of an intensified campaign by the MCD against illegal and hazardous constructions in the city, initiated following the collapse of a building in Satya Niketan, which resulted in the death of seven individuals.

Traders alleged that neither they nor the local business community received any prior notice regarding the sealing activities. Merchants stated that many of them were unaware of the sealing until they arrived at their shops that day. The simultaneous execution of this action has caused significant alarm among traders in the locality, as most were taken by surprise.

Traders Challenge the MCD’s Enforcement

The All India Bullion and Jewellers Association has raised questions concerning the accountability of traders in light of the actions taken following the Satya Niketan incident. The association has issued a statement, stating, “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.”

This highlights a desire for a broader review of responsibilities in relation to safety regulations. Moreover, traders have pointed out that the notices posted on their premises appeared to be dated in the past—one notice shared by the association bore the date of May 12, 2026. This notice instructed the concerned party to cease the alleged misuse of the basement and to comply with the approved usage regulations as per the Master Plan-2021 within 48 hours.

It also warned that the premises could face further sealing if commercial activities continued. These claims of backdated notices have exacerbated tensions between the traders and the MCD, as shopkeepers feel out of the loop regarding procedural fairness and communication protocols associated with the sealing of their shops.

Treasure Locked Away Amidst Sealing

In the wake of the sealing, traders expressed grave concerns about the vast quantities of gold and silver jewellery locked within the now-sealed shops. Industry insiders claimed that the value of these assets potentially runs into several crores, prompting calls for the authorities to consider the financial implications for the jewellers adversely affected by this action.

Jewellers have urged the MCD and other governing bodies to address their concerns regarding the sealed jewellery. Despite the traders’ requests for immediate attention to their situation, as of now, there has been no official response from the MCD regarding these claims or the ongoing issues related to the unpermitted basement usages.

The situation has left many shop owners anxiously awaiting resolution while feeling uncertain about the prospects of accessing their locked assets, which are crucial to their businesses. The MCD’s adherence to safety regulations while considering the livelihoods of local traders remains a pressing issue moving forward.

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