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The Supreme Court ordered Monday desealing of 27 shops and establishments in T Nagar, Chennai. A bench of justices Dalveer Bhandari and Dipak Misra directed opening of the premises for six weeks during which the Madras high court will try to dispose of the case.

SC had earlier ordered status quo in respect of the shops and establishments sealed for violating building rules. It, however, stopped sealing of other shops and demolition of buildings (including the 27 sealed ones) pursuant to show cause notices issued to them.

Petitioners Ranganathan Street Merchants Association and others had appealed against the sealings and closures. They contended the shops were sealed without giving owners an opportunity to present their case. They said if their plea was not allowed, it would lead to closure of famous business establishments in existence for decades and thousands would be rendered jobless.

-dc chn