W.P.(C)/7895/2024 of CHARAN SINGH AND ORS Vs CHAIRMAN, TVC-I, SHAHDARA SOUTH ZONE AND ORS. on 19 May 2026

1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.

2. The present writ petitions have been filed by various street vendors, who have been issued provisional Certificates of Vending (hereinafter, ‘CoVs’) or are carrying on vending activities on the basis of surveys already conducted, though the CoVs have not yet been issued to them. The grievances of these street vendors are several, some of which are set out below: i) Category of the vendors is not properly mentioned in the provisional CoVs; ii) In the case of persons with disabilities, conditions have been imposed, requiring them to carry out vending activities as mobile vendors, which is not feasible; iii) That the site of vending has not been properly specified in the CoVs.

3. On the previous date i.e., 9th February, 2026 in the batch of petitions

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i.e., wherein the lead petition was W.P.(C) 2243/2022, the Court had considered the status report filed on behalf of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (hereinafter, ‘MCD’) stating that the street vendors survey commenced in accordance with the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Rules, 2017 and Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme-2019, has concluded in two phases and 20,247 vendors are yet to be surveyed within the extended period.

4. On the said date, Mr. Tushar Sannu, ld. Counsel for the MCD, on the basis of instructions received, had proposed the future course of action, and after considering the same, the Court had passed the following directions: “[...]

4. Mr. Tushar Sannu, Id. Counsel for the MCD submits that in furtherance to the above stated steps taken, the next course of action is as follows:

i. Issuance of provisional COVs by the Zonal Deputy Commissioners to the Vendors who have been duly surveyed and are found eligible;

ii. Drawing up of the electoral roll for elections of the Town Vending Committee (hereinafter, 'TVC');

iii. Conducting election for the TVCs across Delhi;

iv. Constitution of the 23 TVCs across Delhi; v. Finalization of the vending zones in respective areas by the 23 TVCs;

vi. Issuance of final COVs after finalising of the

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vending zones by TVCs.

5. Considering the course of action stated above, since various steps are still to be undertaken, this Court directs that the MCD shall place on record a proper timeline for this purpose, so that the entire matter can be brought to an end which has been pending for several years now.

6. Mr. Mishra, Id. Counsel submits that vending plans also ought to be finalised. The said submission shall also be considered on the next date and directions shall be issued…” From the above order it can be seen that the MCD itself had enumerated the various steps that were to be taken by it, in general, for finalisation of the Vending zones, list of vendors etc., Accordingly, the Court had directed the MCD to place on record a timeline for the various steps to be undertaken by it for finalising the vending plans, vending zones, list of vendors and finally issuance of the final Certificates of Vending.

5. Today, a status report on behalf of the MCD has been placed on record. The Court has been informed that insofar as the MCD is concerned, the survey in certain zones was completed. However, the same had come to a stand still due to the membership of the officials of the Town Vending Committee (hereinafter, ‘TVC’) not being finalised.

6. Further, it is also informed by ld. Standing Counsel for the MCD that certain agencies were appointed for carrying out the surveys, however, the said recommendations of the agencies are not yet finalised.

7. It is also stated by ld. Standing Counsel for the MCD that in terms of

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the surveys which were conducted, CoVs have been issued to various existing street vendors. However, the final decision in respect of the list of authorised street vendors, their categories, their vending sites, and the terms on which the vending is to be carried out, is yet to be finalised by the TVC.

8. As per the status report, a timeline for the constitution of the TVC has been set out, which is as under:-

9. Mr. Tushar Sannu, ld. SC, submits that, pursuant thereto, the issuance of provisional CoVs has been completed and the electoral roll for the members of the TVC has already been prepared. It is further submitted that the elections to the TVCs are scheduled to be conducted on 30th June, 2026, and the process for conducting the said elections is presently underway.

10. Further, it is also submitted that the TVCs ought to be constituted by 21st July, 2026, and all necessary steps are being taken in this regard.

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11. Under these circumstances, since the MCD is now taking proper and time-bound steps for constitution of the TVCs, which would be the statutory mandate towards finalisation of vending plan and issuance of final CoVs, the present petitions are disposed of with the following directions:

(i) The MCD shall constitute the TVCs as per the timeline set out hereinabove;

(ii) Upon constitution of the TVCs, the TVCs shall undertake the verification of the survey list, and proceed in terms of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014;

(iii) While issuing final CoVs to verified and authorised street vendors, due consideration shall be given to factors such as the nature of vending, including whether the vendors ought to be categorized as mobile or stationary vendors. Factors such as vendors being persons with disabilities, vendors who are carrying on vending which cannot be mobile such as tailors and other relevant factors shall also be considered;

(iv) The Court notices that in a large number of matters, there are hardly any monetary payments being made by street vendors to the authorities such as the MCD and New Delhi Municipal Council. The concerned TVCs ought to take a decision as to what should be the monetary terms, for the purpose of issuing the CoVs;

(v) While carrying out their vending activities, the street vendors shall ensure proper cleanliness and hygiene is duly maintained. No permanent or temporary construction shall be constructed by the street vendors in and around their vends.

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(vi) Until the TVC takes its final decision, none of the street vendors shall be disturbed or prevented from carrying out their vending activities, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the provisional CoVs.

12. The present petitions are disposed of in these terms. All pending applications, if any, are also disposed of.

13. W.P.(C) 11073/2024 was disposed of by this Court on 21st November, 2025. Thereafter, CM APPL. 10973/2026 in W.P.(C) 11073/2024 was considered by this Court, seeking directions for issuing the CoV to the Petitioner. The said application has been heard from time to time and concerns the same subject matter as considered in the present petitions. The said application is also disposed of with the present petitions. PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUDGE MADHU JAIN JUDGE MAY 19, 2026/MR/SM

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