Synopsis

The petitioner, a street vendor, had been vending from a site at Astha Kunj Road, Nehru Place, New Delhi for a long period. She participated in a survey conducted by the Town Vending Committee on 19th July 2025 and was issued an acknowledgement receipt. However, the provisional Certificate of Vending (CoV) was not issued to her, and she faced harassment from MCD officials and the Delhi Police. The Delhi High Court directed the respondents to issue the provisional CoV to the petitioner expeditiously, subject to fulfilling all necessary conditions. Pending issuance, the court permitted the petitioner to vend from the site subject to conditions (maintaining cleanliness, not obstructing pedestrians, no permanent construction). The petition was disposed of accordingly.

Court: High Court of Delhi at New Delhi

Coram: Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Madhu Jain

Date of Judgment: 16th April 2026

Citation: W.P.(C) 5055/2026

Core Law: Street vending – Certificate of Vending (CoV); Delhi Municipal Corporation Act; Right to livelihood (Article 21)

2. Legal Framework

Major laws and provisions involved

• Constitution of India – Article 21 (right to livelihood), Article 226 (writ jurisdiction)

• Delhi Municipal Corporation Act – provisions relating to street vending

• Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 (implied) – survey and issuance of Certificate of Vending

Key legal principles applied

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