SC to decide on sealing today

New Delhi: Will it? Won't it? It's Monday and it's time for the Supreme Court to take a decision on the sealing of illegal shops in residential areas in the Capital.

Last week, protests during the Delhi bandh turned violent as traders stopped traffic, damaged buses and literally brought the city to a halt.

On Monday, the MCD is planning to cite the decision of the Group of Ministers (GoM) to the Supreme Court and request the court to defer the sealing.

The GoM had said that there would be no sealing because of the sensitive situation persisting in the city - this despite the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee asking the MCD to resume sealing without any further delay.

Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy had said, "It is difficult to conduct sealing in the Capital under the given circumstances."

The MCD had earlier moved an application for modification of the September 29 order of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee and urged the court to extend relief to traders who had filed affidavits that they would cease commercial activities in residential areas by October 31.

The Centre has already filed an application seeking relief for some 44,000-odd traders.

For the first time, the Delhi government too intervened in the matter on Friday seeking relief till January 31, 2007 for all traders who have filed affidavits.

The court will take up all these applications on Monday for hearing.

(With inputs from Urvashi Sibal)

DAY PLAN
	The Supreme Court will hear the Centre's plea asking for relief for traders.
	It will also hear the MCD's take on the law and order situation in the Capital, which may turn sensitive if sealings are resumed.
	The Supreme Court Monitoring Committee will apprise the court of the current status. It may also complain about the lack of cooperation it is receiving from the MCD.