Jaipur: The Supreme Court has sharply criticised the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) for failing to comply with its directions regarding commercial establishments operating in residential areas of Jaipur. The court observed that the authority neither appeared before the court nor filed an affidavit detailing action taken after conducting surveys, even as complaints from residents continued to pour in alleging widespread violations.A bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan recorded that amicus curiae Ajit Kumar Sinha flagged JDA’s absence from the proceedings. The bench treated the lapse as serious, particularly because the matter concerns enforcement of town planning norms and protection of residential neighbourhoods from unregulated commercialisation.In an order dated May 20, the court clarified that the authority responsible for town planning, sanctioning building plans, enforcing building byelaws and regulating land use cannot avoid accountability by claiming that the Municipal Corporation had been impleaded in the case. The bench said the concerned planning authority must respond to the proceedings.The Jaipur case forms part of a nationwide exercise initiated by the Supreme Court on March 25 while hearing a petition concerning unauthorised commercial activities in a residential colony in Chennai. The court had directed authorities in all state and Union Territory capitals to conduct surveys of residential areas being used for commercial purposes and submit affidavits by May 15, 2026.The bench observed that only three states have filed affidavits so far, and even those largely focused on survey findings rather than enforcement measures. Stressing that compliance cannot be merely procedural, the court directed all respondents, including the JDA, to file fresh affidavits detailing concrete action taken after the surveys.The affidavits must be personally sworn by the head of the concerned authority and disclose effective enforcement measures undertaken on the ground. The court clarified that such action may include sealing, demolition or other lawful steps against violators, with complete details of enforcement provided.The matter has been posted for further hearing on Aug 4.