Leela Devi v. New Delhi Municipal Council

1. The present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, has been instituted on behalf of the petitioner, praying as follows:- “In the facts and circumstances stated herein above, it is Most Respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Court may graciously be pleased to:

I. Pass an order directing the NDMC to allow the petitioner to carry out her vocation of selling and vending of Mobile cover items on the pavement of NDMC area i.e.,At In front of D[5],Near uphar, Inner Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi- 110001 in accordance with the provisions of the Street Vendors (protection of Livelihood and regulation of street vending) Act 2014 without any hindrance or harassment of any sort.’

II. Pass an order directing the respondent

NDMC to conduct the survey under the Street Vendors (protection of Livelihood and regulation of street vending) Act 2014 as also as mandated under, The Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and regulation of Street vending) Rules 2017 & The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and regulation of Street vending) Scheme 2019 and further to provide the certificate of vending to the petitioner.

III. Pass an order directing the respondent NDMC to start and complete the survey of the street vendors in the NDMC area as mandated under the Street Vendors (protection of Livelihood and regulation of street vending) Act 2014 as also as mandated under, The Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and regulation of Street vending) Rules 2017&The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and regulation of Street vending) Scheme 2019.

IV. Pass an order directing the respondents to place on record all materials/orders/communications pertaining to the Survey of the Street Vendors in the NDMC area.

V. Pass any such directions or order that this

2. Issue notice.

3. Mr. Sri Harsha Peechara, learned Additional Standing Counsel accepts notice on behalf of respondent no. 1. Ms. Nitika Bhutani, learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent nos. 2, 3 and 4.

4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, limits the relief in the present writ petition, in relation to the prayer clause (II) (extracted herein above), of the present writ petition; and to consider the petitioner’s representation, which the petitioner undertakes to file, within a week from today, before the duly constituted Town Vending Committee (TVC), and to consider the same, at the time the TVC carry out the subject survey, in accordance with law.

5. Accordingly, it is relevant to highlight that this Court, vide order dated 16.02.2023, issued certain directions to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and GNCTD in W.P. (C) 12459/2022, titled as ‘Bacchu Singh Paharia Vs. New Delhi Municipal Council & Anr.’; which will extend to the present petitioner, as well, with equal force and vigour. The order dated 16.02.2023, passed in W.P. (C) 12459/2022, titled as ‘Bacchu Singh Paharia Vs. New Delhi Municipal Council & Anr.’ is extracted herein below, in toto: „The present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, has been instituted on behalf of the petitioner, praying as follows: “It is therefore, most respectfully prayed that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to:a) Direct the Respondent no. 1 and 2 allow the petitioner to operate at his given vending site i.e. Near Shop No.36, Sarojini Nagar Market New Delhi till the final decision taken by the Town Vending Committee after completion of Survey. b) Issue a Writ, Order or Direction in the nature of Pass such other or further orders, as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.” Mr. Gautam Narayan, learned Additional Standing Counsel (Civil) appearing on behalf of the GNCTD states that the survey to be conducted by the duly constituted Town Vending Committee, shall commence forthwith, in accordance with the provisions of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street vending) Act 2014, as well as the Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of livelihood and regulation of street vending) Rules, 2017 and The Government of National Capital territory of Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of livelihood and regulation of street vending) Scheme, 2019. Mr. Sri Harsha Peechara, learned Additional Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of NDMC states, that they shall render assistance, as may be required by the GNCTD, in this behalf. Directed accordingly. No further relief is prayed for. With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of accordingly. Pending applications also stand disposed of. Copy of the order be given dasti to learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties.‟

6. Having regard to the facts and circumstances antecedent and attendant in relation to the present writ petition and having heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties; we dispose of the present writ petition, with a direction to the Town Vending Committee, to consider and determine the petitioner’s representation, subject to the petitioner filing the same, before the duly constituted TVC, in accordance with law, at an appropriate stage.

7. No further relief is prayed for.

8. The writ petition is disposed of accordingly. The pending application also stands disposed of.

9. A copy of this judgment be uploaded on the website of this Court forthwith.