Srinagar, November 6: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has sealed Grand Jannat Bakery in Mehjoor Nagar and a separate four-storey commercial building in Ward 28 of the South Zone over alleged violations of building regulations and failure to obtain mandatory permissions.
The sealing orders were issued by the SMC Commissioner under the J&K Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, and the J&K Unified Building Bye-Laws, 2021.
According to the order concerning Grand Jannat Bakery, located in Ward 31, the action followed a complaint filed by Mehra Begum, wife of Mohammad Ismail Dagga, and others, alleging that the installation of a bakery furnace in a residential locality could pose a threat to residents.
The complaint was referred to the Enforcement Officer (South) and the concerned Ward Officer in April 2023. On May 4, 2023, the Ward Officer issued a notice directing the bakery owners to submit registration documents, commercial building permission and other required approvals.
However, the owners allegedly failed to produce the necessary documents. The Pollution Control Committee, Kashmir, also took cognisance of the matter and issued a legal notice in May 2023.
Subsequently, a show-cause notice proposing the sealing of the premises was issued on June 20, 2023. As no response was received within the stipulated period, the premises were sealed through an earlier order dated July 8, 2023.
A report by the SMC Assistant Engineer (Town Planning) stated that the site falls within a Residential (Low Density) zone, where manufacturing activities are not permissible.
The SMC’s Assistant Legal Remembrancer also observed that a bakery or confectionery manufacturing unit could not operate solely on the basis of a White Category Certificate and that action could be initiated under applicable municipal laws.
The bakery premises have been placed under the supervision of the Station House Officer, Police Station Sadar, and the Ward Officer, Ward 31.
In a separate order, the civic body sealed a four-storey commercial structure in Ward 28, comprising two shops on the ground floor, for allegedly being constructed without building permission.
The action followed a report submitted by the Ward Officer on January 7, 2025, after which the Enforcement Officer (South) recommended sealing the structure.
A show-cause notice was issued to the owner on February 7, 2025, seeking an explanation within three days. The owner, in response, claimed that he had not constructed any commercial building during the preceding 20 years.
However, a report prepared by a GIS expert based on satellite imagery indicated changes at the site dating back to around 2015.
The matter was subsequently referred to the SMC Law Wing in September 2025 to examine whether action could be initiated against a structure allegedly raised around a decade earlier.
The Assistant Legal Remembrancer opined that the passage of time does not grant legal status to unauthorised construction and that statutory action could still be initiated under the relevant provisions.
The four-storey building has been placed under the supervision of the SHO, Police Station Batmaloo, and the Ward Officer, Ward 28.
Both orders direct the concerned police and municipal officials to ensure compliance and monitor the sealed premises.
