Mathura Students, Shopkeepers Hit as Sealing Drive Faces Fresh Trader leader says

Trader Leader Urges Review of Sealing Drive in Mathura

Mathura, 26 June 2026: Following the recent administrative action against coaching centres and commercial buildings in Mathura, trader leader and Student-Parent Welfare Association patron Shashi Bhanu Garg has questioned the manner in which the sealing drive is being carried out. In a statement issued on Friday, he alleged that the administration is acting in an irregular manner after the Lucknow fire incident and called for a more balanced and humane approach while enforcing safety norms.

Garg, who also serves as the Metropolitan General Secretary of the Nagar Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal, claimed that instead of identifying administrative shortcomings, action is now being directed primarily against commercial establishments and educational institutions. According to him, responsibility should also be fixed on officials of the development authority, municipal bodies and other departments who were responsible for monitoring construction norms and granting permissions over the years.

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Referring to the closure of coaching institutes, Garg said many parents had already deposited substantial annual fees to secure their children’s education. With coaching centres being sealed, he claimed that parents are now worried not only about their children’s academic future but also about the recovery of the fees already paid. He urged the administration to address the concerns of students and guardians alongside its enforcement measures.

He also expressed concern over the sealing of shops located inside commercial buildings that have been subjected to action. According to Garg, many small traders who operate from these premises depend entirely on their businesses for their livelihood. He alleged that sealing the entire building without distinguishing between alleged violations and compliant establishments has adversely affected shopkeepers who were not directly linked to the issues under investigation.

Calling for a humanitarian approach, Garg suggested that the administration should first issue notices to building owners and provide a reasonable time frame for complying with fire safety and other mandatory standards. He said that if the deficiencies are not rectified within the stipulated period, sealing should then be considered as a final enforcement measure rather than the first course of action.

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He further demanded that the administration formulate an appropriate mechanism to safeguard the interests of students and parents affected by the closure of coaching institutes. According to him, resolving educational and financial concerns should remain a priority while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Garg also called for a detailed inquiry into the role of officials from various departments responsible for approving and monitoring commercial buildings. He alleged that accountability should extend to those responsible for enforcing regulations before such establishments began operating. He urged the government to initiate a comprehensive investigation and take action against any officials found responsible for administrative lapses.

The remarks represent the views and demands expressed by Shashi Bhanu Garg regarding the ongoing sealing drive. No official response from the district administration regarding these specific allegations had been issued at the time of publication. The administration has previously stated that recent inspections and enforcement actions are aimed at ensuring compliance with fire safety and other mandatory public safety norms.