New Delhi, Feb 17 (Reporter) The Supreme Court on Monday expressed its inclination to direct a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged illegal and unauthorized commercial construction in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) failure to take effective action. A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh pulled up the MCD for its inaction, and asked, "In Chandni Chowk, builders construct like that and you shut your eyes!? We are inclined to direct the CBI to investigate." When the MCD’s counsel contended that unauthorized structures had been removed following Delhi High Court orders and that a Court Commissioner’s report confirmed this, Justice Kant raised concerns about MCD’s functioning, asking, "Is the Corporation being run by builders?" The MCD’s lawyer defended the agency, stating that sealing and demolition orders were indeed issued. However, the bench remained unconvinced, criticizing the MCD for only acting after public interest litigations (PILs) were filed. "Someone files a PIL, and suddenly you wake up and start this lame excuse. The High Court, unfortunately, does not even allow petitioners to present their case and disposes of matters based on your statements. We will direct CBI to investigate everything," Justice Kant remarked. Despite MCD's insistence that photographs on record demonstrated compliance, the bench remained firm. It scheduled the matter for one week later and issued a show cause notice to MCD, asking why a deeper probe into the Corporation’s conduct should not be ordered. "This matter requires not only an expert team's site inspection, including precise measurements but also an investigation into MCD’s role in permitting unauthorized commercial constructions, seemingly for extraneous considerations. There shall be a show cause as to why a deeper probe should not be ordered," the Court dictated. In addition to issuing the notice to MCD, the Court directed the petitioners to serve notices to unserved respondents, emphasizing that a final order could not be passed without hearing them. Furthermore, the Court invited suggestions from petitioners regarding the inclusion of independent experts (architects, engineers, etc.) to form a committee to inspect the site before deciding on the CBI probe. The Supreme Court was hearing a challenge to two Delhi High Court orders. The first order disposed of a PIL seeking the removal of unauthorized construction at Bagh Deewar, Fatehpuri, Chandni Chowk, based on the MCD and private respondents’ statements. The second order excluded Property No. 13-16, Bagh Deewar from PIL proceedings despite allegations that Property No. 15, located in a residential zone, was being converted into a commercial establishment. The High Court had previously recorded a private respondent’s assurance that unauthorized construction had been removed. MCD's counsel confirmed this statement, leading the High Court to allow repairs at the site while directing MCD to maintain a strict vigil. Additionally, a Court Commissioner was instructed to inspect the property and submit a report, with liberty granted to file fresh applications in case of violations. Given the serious nature of unauthorized constructions in a heritage area like Chandni Chowk, the Supreme Court appears strongly inclined to order a CBI investigation. The Court's directive for a show cause notice to MCD and the constitution of an independent inspection team indicates that a deeper probe into alleged corruption and negligence by civic authorities may be imminent. The matter will now be heard next week...////...