The Centre on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court seeking permission for Delhi traders, who have filed affidavits to stop the misuse of premises in residential areas, to continue their commercial activities in the national capital.

In an application, the government said the court may modify its order and permit the traders to continue their commercial activities beyond October 31, subject to their filing an additional undertaking before the Monitoring Committee that misuse will be stopped as per the court's direction if the Delhi Laws (Special Protection) Act, 2006 and September 7 notification are declared invalid.

The government said there was considerable distress among the traders over the fact that the affidavits filed by them earlier, truthfully stating their position, had not saved them from closure of their establishments.