Delhi High Court

MCD Directed to Issue Provisional Certificate of Vending and Protect Surveyed Street Vendors From Harassment

Pan Singh vs Chairman, Town Vending Committee And Ors

Delhi High CourtJUDGMENT: May 29, 20262 MIN READSOURCE JUDGMENT
THE ORIGINAL LAWLENS SUMMARY
01

Facts

The Petitioner, a street vendor, claims to have been vending from a site on Hanuman Mandir Road, Vasant Vihar, Delhi, for several years

Source reference: p. 1-2

He participated in a municipal survey conducted by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on July 9, 2025, and was issued an acknowledgement receipt (No. 9226)

Source reference: p. 1-2

The Petitioner approached the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution, alleging harassment by MCD and Delhi Police officials and seeking directions for the issuance of a Certificate of Vending (CoV)

Source reference: p. 2
02

Issues

1. Whether the Petitioner is entitled to a provisional Certificate of Vending (CoV) and protection from eviction pending the finalization of the vending plan?

Source reference: p. 3 / para. 8-11
03

Law Applied

Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, specifically Section 21, which mandates the formulation of a vending plan by the Town Vending Committee

Source reference: p. 4 / para. 10

The Court also relied on the principle that street vendors who have participated in official surveys are entitled to temporary protection and regularization subject to statutory compliance and public order

Source reference: p. 3-4
04

Reasoning

The Court observed that the Petitioner had documented proof of participating in the MCD survey via a valid acknowledgement receipt

Source reference: p. 2-3

The Court balanced the Petitioner’s right to livelihood with public interest concerns such as pedestrian movement, hygiene, and fire safety. To resolve the issue, the Court directed the MCD to verify the Petitioner's details within eight weeks

Source reference: p. 3 / para. 8

Pending the finalization of the statutory vending plan under Section 21 of the Act, the Court granted the Petitioner interim protection from harassment, provided he adhered to strict conditions including the use of only small gas cylinders, maintenance of hygiene, and non-encroachment of pedestrian areas

Source reference: p. 3-4 / para. 9
05

Holding

The Court disposed of the petition by directing the MCD to verify the Petitioner’s survey details and issue a provisional CoV within eight weeks, in accordance with the law

The Petitioner is protected from being disturbed at the vending site provided he: (i) uses only a small gas cylinder; (ii) maintains a dustbin and cleanliness; (iii) does not obstruct pedestrian movement; and (iv) refrains from permanent construction. This protection is subject to the future vending plan formulated by the Town Vending Committee-II

Source reference: p. 3-4 / para. 9-11
Delhi High Court

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Pan SinghvsChairman, Town Vending Committee And Ors

Delhi High Court · May 29, 2026

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