Delhi HC Gives MCD A Week To Identify A Vending Site Outside Kamla Nagar’s No-Vending Zone For Street Vendor

The petitioner, a street vendor, held a provisional Certificate of Vending (CoV) issued by the MCD in the “Others” category for Keshav Puram Zone, Ward 78N.

He sought permission to vend near 9 F, Kamla Nagar, and said he was being prevented from vending there despite holding the CoV.

He had also represented to the MCD on 19 October 2026 seeking a change of category to “Food snack with Gas Cylinder/Fire”.

The Court noted that Kamla Nagar was a “No Vending” and “Non-Squatting” zone, and considered its directions in Anil Kumar v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi & Ors., W.P.(C) 7593/2026.

The Court referred to the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, particularly Section 21, under which the Town Vending Committee may formulate a plan governing vending.

It also required compliance with the CoV’s terms and conditions, including adherence to the vending zone and period, maintaining hygiene, avoiding obstruction to pedestrian and vehicular movement, and not erecting permanent or temporary structures.

The Court also relied on its directions in Anil Kumar v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi & Ors., W.P.(C) 7593/2026, concerning vending in the relevant area.

Because Kamla Nagar was a “No Vending” and “Non-Squatting” zone, the petitioner could not claim a right to vend there merely by relying on his CoV.

Applying the approach in Anil Kumar, the Court directed the MCD to identify another area for the petitioner, while requiring him to remain within that area, avoid obstruction, maintain cleanliness, and refrain from construction.

The proposed change to his CoV category was a separate matter for the Town Vending Committee-II to consider once constituted.

The MCD’s concerned Assistant Commissioner was directed to identify and communicate a vending area to the petitioner within one week.

The petitioner was directed not to enter the No-Vending area or obstruct pedestrians, to maintain cleanliness and provide a dustbin, and not to erect any structure.

These directions were made subject to any plan prepared by Town Vending Committee-II under Section 21 of the 2014 Act, and conferred no vested rights.

The petitioner was not to be disturbed while vending in accordance with the directions.

Town Vending Committee-II was directed to decide the category-change representation within three months of its constitution.