JAIPUR: The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) plans to present an audit to the Supreme Court that identifies over 6,000 commercial establishments allegedly violating land-use regulations by operating from residential plots, as per the court’s directives aimed at curbing unauthorized commercial activities.
According to JDA enforcement wing DIG Anand Sharma, the audit has been finalized, detailing the violations and actions taken thus far. “We will send this report to the Supreme Court. We will continue to take further action against these violations following the court’s instructions at the next hearing,” Sharma informed TOI.
“The audit documented data starting from January 1, 2026. However, post the last court hearing, the JDA initiated action against only around 150 buildings,” added another official.
This action is in response to a March 25 order from Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R Mahadevan, mandating authorities in all state and Union Territory capitals to survey residential areas used for commercial activities and submit affidavits by May 15, 2026.
During the hearing on May 20, the bench noted observations made by amicus curiae Ajit Kumar Sinha regarding JDA’s absence in court. The court criticized JDA and other civic bodies for their non-compliance, deeming the oversight serious due to the case’s relevance to town-planning enforcement and the safeguarding of residential neighborhoods from unregulated commercialization.
The court has since called for new affidavits to detail follow-up actions like sealing or demolition and has warned officials against treating compliance as a mere formality.
The JDA’s affidavit, expected to be submitted before the next hearing on August 4, will encompass the audit’s findings and details on the enforcement actions taken.
