The Bombay High Court (HC) on Monday, March 22, directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to carry out a detailed verification of all street vendors in Mumbai. The order covers every person involved in vending, including stall owners, helpers, and assistants. The court said this is needed to improve control over street hawking in the city.
Order for Verification of Street Vendors
The division bench of Ajay S. Gadkari and Kamal R. Khata passed the order while hearing several public interest petitions. These petitions raised concerns about the growing number of unlicensed vendors operating across Mumbai. The court said the police and civic body must begin identity checks immediately.
The court made it clear that the verification must include people suspected of being foreign nationals or non-Indian residents. It also stated that individuals believed to be Bangladeshi nationals working without valid documents must be part of the process. The judges said that if any person is found to be an illegal immigrant, authorities must take action under the law.
The bench also warned that officers who fail to act will be held personally responsible. It directed both civic officials and the police to carry out the process without delay.
Delays in Street Vendors Act, 2014
At the same time, the court refused to extend the stay on the implementation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. Lawyers for hawkers had asked for a two-week extension so they could approach the Supreme Court. The bench rejected this request.
The Street Vendors Act was passed to protect the rights of street vendors and regulate vending activities in urban areas. However, its rollout has been slow and uneven in Mumbai and other parts of India. Disputes between authorities and vendors have continued for years.
The latest order is expected to have a major impact on Mumbai’s street vending sector. In recent months, civic officials have increased action against illegal hawking. Authorities have cited traffic congestion, blocked footpaths, and public complaints as key reasons.