Traders say gold and silver jewellery worth crores remains locked inside Kucha Mahajani shops as civic body steps up action after Satya Niketan collapse
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Thursday sealed 56 jewellery and bullion-related shops in Kucha Mahajani, Chandni Chowk, as part of an intensified crackdown on allegedly illegal and unsafe commercial structures across the capital.
The action comes days after the September 6 building collapse in Satya Niketan that killed seven people and prompted the Delhi government and civic authorities to step up enforcement against dangerous and unauthorised constructions.
Yogesh Singhal, president of the All India Bullion and Jewellers Association, said notices had been affixed to the affected shops and the sealing exercise began around 11.30 am.
Traders claimed that the notices were issued earlier and cited a May 12, 2026 notice directing shop owners to stop the commercial use of basements and bring the premises in line with Master Plan-2021 provisions.
According to the traders, MCD and police teams arrived at Kucha Mahajani and carried out the sealing across several buildings. They alleged that many shopkeepers came to know about the action only after reaching their establishments.
The immediate concern for the traders is the stock left inside the sealed premises. They said gold and silver jewellery and bullion worth crores is locked inside the shops and sought access to retrieve the valuables.
The All India Bullion and Jewellers Association also questioned whether enforcement following the Satya Niketan tragedy would be limited to traders or whether accountability would extend to government departments and politicians responsible for oversight.
The sealing drive is part of a wider MCD enforcement campaign against unauthorised construction and unsafe buildings in Delhi following the Satya Niketan collapse.
The traders’ claims regarding the notices and the value of goods inside the premises could not be independently verified from the material provided.
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