more-in The police and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) were pulled up by the Delhi High Court on Monday for allowing eating joints to come up “neck to neck” in violation of building laws and the master plan in Hauz Khas village. A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar observed that restaurants were located “one on top of another” in the area and were running out of residential properties, which had been converted to commercial use. ‘Violation of master plan’ “More than 100 restaurants are running in that small area in violation of building by-laws and the master plan. Restaurants are located one on top of another,” the court said. The Bench directed the Delhi Police, Fire Services Department and the SDMC to file affidavits on what was the permissible use of the said properties. It also sought to know “how licences could be issued for properties for usage which is in violation of the master plan” and listed the matter for further hearing on August 2. ‘Unlawful existence’ The court was hearing two public interest litigations alleging “unlawful existence” of restaurants, pubs, fashion studios, bars serving liquor without licence, art galleries and other buildings in the village. The petitioners, social activist Pankaj Sharma and advocate Anuja Kapur, alleged that there are over 120 restaurants and pubs running in the area without any building plan approval or no objection certificate (NOC) from the authorities, including the fire department.

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