Nagpur | July 2025 - In a significant move upholding the rights of street vendors, the Bombay High Court strongly criticized the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) for forcefully evicting 344 licensed street vendors from the Sitabuldi area without following legal procedures.

The court observed that the vendors, who held valid licenses and operated as per the law, were illegally removed in a sudden action carried out by municipal authorities. This act, the court noted, was a direct violation of natural justice and the constitutional rights of the vendors under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.

Justice N.B. Suryawanshi questioned the accountability of civic authorities, issuing legal notices to top municipal officials, demanding explanations for the disregard of due process and violation of rights. The case has been posted for the next hearing in mid-August, where the NMC is expected to submit a detailed response.

The incident has sparked concern among civil rights activists and street vendor unions, who hailed the High Court’s intervention as a victory for livelihood protection and dignity.

“A licensed vendor is not a criminal. They are part of the economic fabric of the city,” remarked a representative of the local vendors’ association.

This case serves as a strong reminder that urban development must not come at the cost of marginalized livelihoods, and authorities must adhere to constitutional safeguards before taking such actions.