Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Friday delivered its judgment in a long-pending public interest litigation concerning the removal of street vendors from the Bhadra Complex in the old city area. The case, originally filed in 2014, was heard extensively over the years, and the division bench headed by the Chief Justice issued detailed directions to the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) regarding the implementation of the Street Vendors Act and the rehabilitation of certified vendors.

The High Court observed that the AMC had not properly implemented the provisions of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, and therefore cannot remove vendors from the Bhadra Complex without following due procedure. The court said the civic body must first conduct a proper survey, prepare a scheme in consultation with street vendors, and only then take a decision regarding vending and non-vending zones. The court also held that Bhadra cannot be declared a no-vending zone without a survey.

The court directed that certified street vendors must be accommodated as per the earlier approved plan. According to AMC records, space is available for 844 vendors in the Bhadra area, while 586 vendors have already been issued certificates. The court ordered that these certified vendors must be reinstated in Bhadra, while the remaining vendors may be relocated temporarily, as was done during the Diwali arrangement.

The High Court further ordered that a three-member team of AMC officials, along with a senior police officer, must verify the certificates of street vendors within one week. Certified vendors must be reinstated in the Bhadra area by March 21, while ensuring that traffic movement is not obstructed. The court scheduled the next hearing on April 17, if additional action is required.

The bench strongly observed that the AMC removed vendors from Bhadra in violation of the law as well as previous High Court directions. Although the court did not immediately initiate action against officials, it clarified that appropriate steps may be taken if any vendor files a complaint.

The bench warned that removing vendors without a fresh survey or due process may amount to contempt of court and violation of statutory provisions. The court directed the AMC to present a clear proposal for rehabilitation and relocation of vendors, failing which the matter may invite stricter action.

The High Court also directed that no public streets or carriageways in the Bhadra Complex area shall be blocked or occupied, and that all such routes must remain open for public movement. The court warned that any breach of this order by any party would be treated as contempt of court.

Refusing the government pleader’s request to stay the implementation of the order, the bench observed that the AMC had acted contrary to earlier directions issued by the court.

The court further stated that the AMC cannot argue that accommodating vendors in the Bhadra Complex would lead to traffic congestion or obstruction of public roads, noting that the area has remained open to vehicular traffic since 2016. The civic body has been directed to submit a compliance affidavit by April 17, 2026, confirming that the court’s directions have been carried out. DeshGujarat