The Supreme Court will, on Wednesday, hear applications moved by the government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi, seeking relief from sealing drive for about 25,000 traders who have given undertakings to shift commerical activities from residential areas of the capital.

The applications in this regard were mentioned by Solicitor General G E Vahanvati on Tuesday before a bench headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal.

The Union Urban Development Ministry and MCD submitted the applications on Monday, seeking relief for those traders who have given affidavits, saying that they would shift their establishments from residential areas.

The application filed by the Ministry of Urban Development sought modification of the September 29 and November 6 orders of the court. These stated that the ground situation has changed considerably and these traders are covered under the protection provided by the two controversial notifications of Septemeber 7 and 15.

It said that the last order (November 6) was passed taking into consideration the prevailing law and order situation in the aftermath of the three-day strike, which required maintenance of rule of law.

The Centre said in pursuant to the order, Municipal Corporation of Delhi resumed the sealing under the supervision of the monitoring committee with full police and para-military protection and several glaring offenders have already been sealed.

While seeking relief for the traders who have given an undertaking to stop the misuse, the MCD sought permission for 'de-sealing' of those premises that are protected under the notifications.

The civic body said such traders be allowed to file fresh undertakings by January 31, 2007 and be treated at par with others identically situated on notified roads.

The MCD said in terms of the directions of the Monitoring Committee it commenced sealing operations from November 8 and 266 establishments have been sealed till November 10.