Crackdown on Illegal Hawking: Bombay HC Demands Swift Action

The Bombay High Court has reprimanded police and civic authorities for failing to address the persistent problem of illegal hawking. The court questioned whether vendors would set up stalls outside crucial government buildings, emphasizing the need for a permanent solution to prevent public harassment and lawlessness.

The Bombay High Court on Monday criticized the police and civic authorities for their failure to find a solution to the illegal hawking menace, asking if vendors would be allowed to put up stalls outside the Mantralaya or the governor's house.

A division bench of Justices M S Sonka and Kamal Khata underscored the need for a permanent solution to the recurring issue of illegal hawkers, stating that the authorities cannot claim helplessness.

The bench expressed frustration over the inaction of civic bodies and police regarding citizens' complaints against unauthorized vendors.

''Do you want citizens to come and sit in court every day? This is sheer harassment. This is lawlessness. The corporation and the police do not address citizens' complaints. What should a common man do?'' the bench said.

Highlighting the bias, the court mentioned that law-abiding citizens suffer while unauthorized hawkers operate brazenly. It suggested that allowing hawkers near the Mantralaya or the governor's house would prompt quicker action.

Last year, the court had taken suo motu cognizance of the illegal hawkers issue in the city and directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and police to file affidavits on their actions and preventive measures.

On Monday, BMC counsel Anil Singh and government pleader Purnima Kantharia sought more time to file detailed affidavits.

The bench, irked by the delay, insisted that the authorities file an affidavit within a week, posting the hearing for July 30. It sarcastically suggested that the Army might be needed if police and civic authorities remain ineffective.

In its order, the court noted that illegal hawkers and vendors had overtaken streets, forcing pedestrians to navigate between unauthorized vendors and poorly parked vehicles.