New Delhi: The Supreme Court today (Nov 15, 2006) said relief against the sealing drive can be given to around 25,000 traders and professionals who have given undertakings, to first comply with them and stop the misuse of residential premises for commercial purposes.

A bench 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 committee 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.