Urban Development Ministry on Monday directed the DDA to stop physical allotment of flats hours after the housing agency said the process of allotment will continue notwithstanding the controversy surrounding the draw of lots.

"When there is a popular suspicion on the issue of the draw of lots in the DDA flats, it is better to clear it through inquiry. No physical allotment will be made till the inquiries are completed," said Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy in New Delhi.

DDA has earlier maintained that there were no irregularities in the draw of the lots and the process of allotment would continue.

The Lieutenant Governor, who is chairman of the DDA, has already ordered an inquiry by the economic offence wing (EOW) of Delhi Police and there will also be a high-level internal inquiry by the DDA, said Reddy.

To a question on whether the ministry would prefer a CBI probe, he said, "If there is a need for the CBI we would not hesitate to go for it. But we will first examine the inquiry reports and then only we will decide on the future course of action."

He said the DDA was an autonomous body and the ministry can certainly give guidelines to it.

About the time limit for inquiry, Reddy said though there was no fixed time frame, "we want the reports should be submitted as soon as possible".