The Supreme Court said on Wednesday that relief against the sealing drive can be given to around 25,000 traders and professionals who have given undertakings, if they first comply with these and stop the misuse of residential premises for commercial purposes.

A bench headed by headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal said on consideration of the monitoring committee's report on their compliance, the court will consider whether such traders for the present can be temporarily relieved of their undertakings so that they can be placed at par with others who have been covered by the October 18 order.

"We permit them (about 25,000 traders and professionals) to inform the monitoring committe that in terms of the undertakings, they have stopped the misuse," the Bench said.

The Bench said if such information was found right, the monitoring committe will not resort to disconnection for the amenities or sealing of premises.

The court said the monitoring committee may, if necessary, conduct random checks and report the status.

The Bench said the monitoring committee will have to file its report on or before November 20.

The court, by its October 18 order, has given relief to those traders who were covered under the protection provided by the two notifications of September 7 and 15. 

The court said Wednesday's order will also be applicable to those categories of traders who, after giving an undertaking, have shut down their premises and those whose premises have been sealed.

The traders falling in these two categories can also approach the monitoring committee to inform that they had abided by the undertakings.

The court said that it will be open to the monitoring committee to mention any particular establishment, which in its opinion, can be granted temporary relief with regard to larger public interest.

The court clarified that its direction will not be applicable in respect to those roads and areas that have no protection of any nature, including that of the notifications of the government and MCD.

The court said that for five thousand such establishments which have no protection, sealing will continue.

While passing the order, the bench perused the 12th report of the monitoring committee submitted to it, covering the status of sealing till Tuesday.

The court also added two new categories of shops - ration and kerosene and cycle repair shops to be exempted from sealing.

Earlier, the court had specified 22 categories of trade to be exempted from the sealing drive.