THE Supreme Court is (SC) is likely to hear on Tuesday, September 22, the matter concerning commercial establishments operating from residential properties in Bhopal. The case is expected to be listed at around 2 pm. The hearing scheduled for September 15 was deferred after the concerned judge was on leave. BMC action remains limited: The hearing assumes significance as questions remain over the extent of action taken by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) following the Supreme Court’s August 5 directions. The BMC identified around 62,500 commercial establishments for scrutiny, but notices were issued to 8,084 properties, accounting for about 13% of the identified establishments. Action taken against 190 properties: According to the information submitted in connection with the matter, action was recorded against around 190 establishments through panchnamas. Of these, 10 establishments were officially sealed. This means action was recorded against around 2.3% of the properties that received notices, while sealing accounted for about 0.12% of the notified establishments. Drive halted after trader protests:The BMC’s enforcement drive continued for around three days before being halted following protests by traders. Residents have since raised questions over the subsequent enforcement process, including whether properties that were closed during the drive remained closed after the action was stopped. 42 days without further action: The Supreme Court’s written order following the August 5 hearing was uploaded on August 10. Residents have pointed out that the BMC had more than 42 days to proceed against the remaining 7,894 establishments that had received notices.

 

According to the residents, the notice process did not move beyond the initial enforcement exercise and no fresh verification was conducted to establish whether establishments that had been closed had continued to remain shut. They have also claimed that several establishments reopened after the drive was halted. Residents raise compliance questions: Petitioners and residents Vivek Tripathi and Purnandu Shukla said they submitted documents detailing what they described as irregularities in the BMC’s enforcement action through court-appointed amicus curiae Ajit Kumar Sinha. Tripathi alleged that the corporation’s action was largely limited to paperwork and claimed that several establishments, including some that had been sealed, reopened after the enforcement drive was halted. These claims are part of the material submitted before the court and are yet to be adjudicated. BMC says report already submitted: BMC Deputy Commissioner Bhuvan Gupta said the corporation had already submitted its action-taken report to the Supreme Court and completed preparations for the hearing. He said the civic body would place its replies and compliance details before the court as directed. Hearing to determine further course:The September 22 hearing is expected to consider the action taken by the civic body following the court’s earlier directions and the material submitted by the parties. The proceedings may also provide clarity on the next steps regarding commercial activities operating from residential properties in Bhopal.