Buildings in residential areas of Ghaziabad put to commercial use be sealed: HC

Allahabad High Court has directed the Ghaziabad Development Authority to seal all buildings in residential areas that have been leased out to banks, private schools, nursing homes or put to any other commercial use.
"We direct the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) to seal all buildings/shops running commercial activities such as banks, private schools, nursing homes etc, in areas earmarked for residential use," a Division Bench said.
The bench comprising Justice Sunil Ambwani and Justice Surya Prakash Kesarwani, in its order of September 19, directed GDA to direct shifting of such buildings if zonal regulations do not permit commercial use.
The court cited a Supreme Court judgement whereby commercial activities were forbidden in a residential locality of Noida and remarked "the order in principle applies to all residential colonies" of Uttar Pradesh and that "we do not find any distinguishing feature in which the Ghaziabad Development Authority may be exempt from the directions".

"The directions have been issued by the Supreme Court in larger public interest...And for enforcement of rights of citizens who are living in residential colonies and are directly affected by various types of commercial activities in residential colonies," the court added.