The Delhi High Court on Friday came down heavily against the Delhi police and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation over their inaction against the street vendors, who were allegedly encroaching the public roads in Munirka Village.
The bench comprising Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh observed that on public roads and walkways in and around Munirka village, the illegal encroachments are taking place and no action has been taken by the state authorities.
The bench further observed that the movement of traffic and pedestrians was greatly hampered due to such encroachments.
“We are of the view that police and the municipal corporation should ensure that no such encroachment takes place,” ordered the Court, while directing the state authorities to file status reports with photographs on the next date of hearing.
Advocate Meenakshi Kalra, representing the Resident welfare community (petitioner) submitted that the roads have been captured by street hawkers by illegal occupancy. The residents are unable to access the community center.
The bench asked the petitioner to implead the concerned police also and said, “We will not allow this, if the area is not for vendors, then we will not allow this.”
Advocate Kalra further submitted,
“The society is near the metro station and just outside the metro station, the vendors are sitting. They are also stealing electricity from the Metro, which is a clear threat to security.”
To which the Counsel for BSES stated that they have booked three people regarding this and submitted that they cannot take law into their hands and remove the street vendors.
The bench replied, “Why can’t you keep the vigil? Suppose if someone does encroachment in front of your home, will you not keep the vigil to remove them?”
The Bench also directed the BSES engineers to stay in loop and do daily vigils. “If they find any encroachment, they are duty bound to remove them with the help of police,” it added.
(Case Name: Munirka Village Residents Welfare Association & ANR vs South Delhi Municipl Corporation & ORS)