In all, 38 properties were sealed — five in Shahdara (North), four in Shahdara (South), seven in Central zone, one each in the West zone and the Civil Lines zone, four in South zone and 16 in the Sadar Paharganj zone.

Sources said there would be no de-sealing for now, as officials are unlikely to begin de-sealing activity without seeking fresh directions from the Supreme Court. This is because the MCD had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying it would follow the latter’s directions, they added.

Officials were locked in a meeting with the Commissioner till late on Monday evening. After this meeting, they are expected to meet members of the monitoring committee.

MCD Standing Committee Chairman Vijender Gupta said today the scope of the Urban Development Ministry’s January 30 notice was “very limited”.

“It will cover only 3,500 shops in all and 70 per cent of these are in DDA area,” he said. Gupta said he would file a police complaint against Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president JP Agarwal for “deliberately misleading” people on sealing.

The January 30 notice, issued by the Centre, clearly mentions it seeks to give effect to the provisions of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2007. The notice calls for the suspension of all punitive action against unauthorised development covered under Section 3 of the above Act. “Section 3 refers only to unauthorized colonies, village abadi and its extensions,” Gupta said. “The central government’s notice clearly mentions that during the period up to 31st December, 2008, action as per relevant laws shall continue to be taken by local authorities in respect of categories of encroachment or unauthorized development as specified in Section 4 of the said Act. A monthly report of the action taken shall be sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, New Delhi by the end of the first week of the succeeding month,” he added.