New Delhi: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has issued a top-priority directive to all Zonal Deputy Commissioners to identify and report cases where residential premises are being misused for non-residential purposes, in compliance with recent directions from the Supreme Court.
According to an official communication dated April 20, 2026, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has impleaded municipal corporations of capital cities, including MCD, and directed them to undertake a comprehensive inquiry within their respective jurisdictions into such violations.
In line with these directions, the MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar has instructed all zonal authorities to carry out a time-bound and detailed exercise to identify areas designated strictly for residential use but currently being utilised for commercial or other non-residential activities.
Scope of the Exercise
The directive mandates that the identification process must cover:
All residential colonies, including unauthorised, regularised, and approved colonies
Group housing societies and plotted developments
All areas falling within MCD jurisdiction, including geographical pockets or ‘islands’ that may lie outside administrative limits but are surrounded by MCD areas
Key Instructions to Zonal Officials
Zonal Deputy Commissioners have been directed to:
1. Conduct detailed field surveys and on-ground verification in their respective zones
2. Prepare a comprehensive, zone-wise list of all such violations
3. Ensure that collected data is accurate, verified, and backed by proper records, as it will form the basis of an affidavit to be submitted before the Supreme Court
4. Fix accountability at appropriate levels for any omission or incorrect reporting
Strict Timeline and Accountability
The MCD has set a strict deadline, directing that the compiled reports must be submitted to the Additional Commissioner (Engineering) within seven days. The final report will be consolidated and submitted as an affidavit, which will be personally affirmed by the Commissioner.
The order clearly warns that any delay or negligence will be viewed seriously, given the Supreme Court’s direct involvement in the matter.
‘Most Urgent’ Classification
Emphasising the seriousness of the directive, the communication categorises the exercise as “MOST URGENT / TOP PRIORITY”, signalling strict monitoring and enforcement.
This move is expected to have significant implications across Delhi, particularly in areas where residential properties are widely used for commercial activities, and could lead to stricter enforcement actions in the coming weeks.
