In a blistering charge against the BJP government, AAP MLA from Tilak Nagar Jarnail Singh has pointed out that the BJP regime is systematically robbing Delhi’s vulnerable communities of their right to live and earn. “First, they snatched homes from jhuggi dwellers. Now, they’re coming for the livelihoods of traders,” Jarnail Singh said, referring to a shocking incident on Tuesday where Revenue Department officers arrived in Tilak Nagar’s main market to seal shops without issuing any prior notice.
The sealing was halted only after protests by local traders—but the damage was done. Fear and uncertainty have gripped the business community. “Let Delhi’s traders be warned: the BJP government can seal your shop without notice at any time. Is this the official policy now—to openly exploit traders?” Jarnail Singh asked, demanding a public clarification from CM Rekha Gupta.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, AAP MLA Jarnail Singh said that the BJP government is proving to be disastrous for every section of Delhi’s population. “After devastating jhuggi dwellers, the BJP’s noose is now tightening around the neck of Delhi’s trader community,” he said.
Detailing an incident from Tuesday evening, Jarnail Singh said, “At around 4 PM, I got a call that a sealing team had arrived at a shop in Tilak Nagar main market. Upon reaching the spot, I saw that officials from the Delhi Government’s Revenue Department and the SDM of Patel Nagar were present, along with a few policemen.”
He added, “When I asked what the matter was, I was told they had come to seal the shop. I asked whether any show-cause notice had been served beforehand. The answer was no. They simply showed up with a sealing order and began sealing the shop. They asked the staff and customers to vacate the premises. I’m in my fourth term as MLA, but I’ve never seen such arbitrary action. This goes against the principles of natural justice and Supreme Court guidelines, which clearly state that no punitive action can be taken without prior notice.”
Jarnail Singh said the reason cited for the sealing was an alleged encroachment spotted outside the shop during a recent drive. “It was merely a small counter placed outside — a minor issue. Let Delhi’s traders be warned: if even a single chair is found outside their shops, CM Rekha Gupta’s government can seal it without any notice. Yesterday’s incident in Tilak Nagar was halted only due to the collective protest of traders and our intervention — but the fear among shopkeepers remains. I’ve never seen such an atmosphere before. The same trader community that traditionally supported the BJP now feels betrayed and exploited.”
Calling the sealing move illegal and dangerous, the AAP MLA said, “If shops can be sealed without notice, Delhi’s entire market ecosystem will collapse. The Revenue Department operates under CM Rekha Gupta. She must clarify: was this action carried out with her knowledge? Is she aware that her officers are exploiting traders? After 27 years, the BJP has returned to power only to prey upon the people of Delhi like starving wolves.”
Jarnail Singh further said that in the past, in areas like Tilak Nagar and Rajouri Garden, notices were at least served to shopkeepers and they were summoned to the SDM’s office. “Those who compromised or paid up were let off. But in this case, not even a notice was issued. CM Rekha Gupta must make it clear: is this the BJP’s official policy to extort traders in broad daylight? If not, she must act immediately against the corrupt officials who are looting traders in the name of notice and sealing.”
Expressing disbelief over the Revenue Department’s role, he added, “For 12 years, the Revenue Department never conducted such operations. Normally, the MCD visits for such minor encroachments and asks shopkeepers to remove tables or counters. But for the Revenue Department to abandon all its other responsibilities and launch sealing drives is shocking. The trader community wants to know — why this betrayal? Why this harassment under a government they once supported? This action must be stopped immediately.”
