No new licences to hawkers until further orders, Bombay High Court tells BMC

The Bombay high court on Monday restrained the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation from issuing fresh licences to hawkers on the road outside Mithibai college until further orders.

A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and AP Bhangale had earlier directed the municipal commissioner to appoint an officer not below the rank of deputy municipal commissioner to supervise and monitor the removal.

The direction was given during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Janhit Manch. Social activist Bhagwanji Rayani argued before the court that 30 to 35 illegal stalls are located on Gulmohar Road, between Mithibai College and RN Cooper Hospital. These stalls are on the footpath, inconveniencing pedestrians, the PIL contended, adding, "Also, the stalls have come up after 1985 and, hence, as per the corporation's policy, they cannot be (considered) legal."

The corporation, however, relied on a Supreme Court judgment with regard to setting up of hawking zones and tried to justify by saying that hawkers were being removed regularly by carrying out special drives.