Notably, three buildings in Model Town area, including an under-construction one, were sealed by the MCJ as they had not provided space for parking, a pre-requisite in the construction plan.

All the three buildings belong to politically well-linked persons. The Reebok building owner, Mastan Singh, got a letter from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office to throw his weight around, Levis showroom owner Saravjit Singh is close to Akali MLA Saravjit Singh Makkar, while owner of the under-construction building Parveen Kumar is an aide of Mayor Rakesh Rathor and Punjab Cabinet minister Manoranja Kalia.

Though MC authorities dared to act against such building owners, but could not follow-up the audacious step for long and opened the seal after taking affidavits, saying that they would provide proper parking space within four days.

When Municipal Town Planner (MTP) Murari Dutt Sharma was asked why the sealed buildings were allowed to open after getting affidavits as there was no such provision, he said the owners have assured them that they would provide parking space within four days.

He, however, admitted that demolition follows the sealing exercise. MC sources said the building owners pleaded that they would face huge losses if the decision was not reverted.