In a significant legal challenge, the Delhi High Court has called for responses from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Delhi Police, and the Delhi government regarding a plea by 45 vendors. These vendors are contesting the demolition of their semi-permanent shops at the Sheetla Mata Market in south Delhi’s Madangir area.
A bench comprising Justices Vibhu Bakhru and Sachin Datta reviewed the petition and has issued notices to the concerned authorities, asking them to reply within two weeks. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 14.
The vendors, represented by advocates Sanjay Baniwal and Manisha, argue that the demolitions carried out on July 30 were illegal as they did not comply with the required legal procedures. According to the vendors, they have been operating in the market for several years, and their removal has been conducted without proper notice, purportedly violating the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, which mandates a 30-day notice period before any eviction.
In their plea, the vendors have also mentioned a recent representation made to the authorities in August, appealing for the restoration of their vending units. They are seeking an interim order from the court to prevent the MCD and police from hindering their vending activities until the matter is resolved.
