Disposed

Rehri Patri Ekta Manch v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Ors.

Delhi HC10 Sept 2026W.P.(C)/10490/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

In a PIL filed by Rehri Patri Ekta Manch, the High Court adjudicated procedural compliance regarding seizures by MCD/NDMC. The Court permitted seizure memos to be issued within 24 hours and directed MCD to adopt videography practices.

What did the court decide?

Seizure memos to be issued within 24 hours of seizure; MCD directed to ensure videography/photography during seizures; endorsed election of 23 TVC-II members.

Rehri Patri Ekta Manch Vs Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Ors. — Delhi HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

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$~52

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of decision: 10^th September, 2026 Uploaded on: 10^th September, 2026

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CNR No. DLHC010336412026

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+ W.P.(C) 10490/2026

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REHRI PATRI EKTA MANCH .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Aditya, Adv.

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versus

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GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI AND ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr Jagdish Chandra, CGSC Mr. Tushar Sannu, Standing Counsel M.C.D. with Mr. Ajit Kumar (officer, MCD). Mr. Sriharsha Peechara, Standing Counsel for NDMC with Mr Aditya Bharat Manubarwala, ASC, Mr Soumit Ganguli, Ms Ravicha Sharma, Ms Tanishka Grover & Mr Akash Sharma, Advocates

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CORAM: JUSTICE PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUSTICE VIKAS MAHAJAN

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Prathiba M. Singh, J. (Oral)

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This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.

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The present petition has been filed by the Petitioner – Rehri Patri Ekta Manch through its General Secretary – Mr. Anil Bakshi, seeking to represent various rights of street vendors in Delhi.

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The petition itself records that the Petitioner-Association has no personal interest in the present Public Interest Litigation and it is for the interest of the street vendors at large.

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Signature Not Verified

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W.P.(C) 10490/2026

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Page 1 of 4

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Digitally Signed By:RAHUL Signing Da te:1 0.09.2026 20:25:12

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The issue being raised in this PIL is in respect of seizures made by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (hereinafter, ‘MCD’) and New Delhi Municipal Corporation (hereinafter, ‘NDMC’), of goods of the street vendors, in cases when there are any violations by the vendors.

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The grievance is that whenever such seizures are effected, no seizure memo is prepared by the MCD and NDMC and the list of goods seized is also not given to the vendors. Only a receipt for payment of fine is issued in the evening after the seizure is effected.

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On behalf of the MCD and NDMC, it is submitted that the usual process is that the seizure is done at a particular point in time and if on spot the seizure memo is prepared by the concerned officials, the other vendors then get the knowledge and get to escape the seizure after committing violations.

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Accordingly, the seizure is effected first and in the evening of the same day, seizure memo is prepared along with the fine receipt and handed to the concerned vendors.

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On behalf of NDMC, Mr. Peechara, ld. Counsel submits that a proper warehouse is maintained by the NDMC for storing the seized goods and the vendors’ goods are put in particular shelves and the respective shelf number is also given in the receipt issued to them. Upon the payment of the fine, the goods are released to concerned vendors.

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It is also submitted on behalf of NDMC that videography/photography of the seizure is also done by the concerned officials, depending upon the available resources at the time when seizure is carried out.

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The Court has heard the submissions made. It is noted that in the present petition, the details of the members of the Petitioner-Association are not set out. Further, no authorizations have also been set out.

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Signature Not Verified

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W.P.(C) 10490/2026

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Page 2 of 4

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Digitally Signed By:RAHUL Signing Da te:1 0.09.2026 20:25:12

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In any event, both, the MCD and the NDMC are expected to follow Section 19 of the Street Vendors (Protection of livelihood and regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, which requires that upon a seizure being carried out, the list of goods seized ought to be prepared and a copy has to be given to the vendor. The said provision reads as under:

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“19. Seizure and reclaiming of goods: (1) If the street vendor fails to vacate the place specified in the certificate of vending, after the lapse of the period specified in the notice given under sub-section (3) of section 18, the local authority, in addition to evicting the street vendor under section 18, may, if it deems necessary, seize the goods of such street vendor in such manner as may be specified in the scheme:

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Provided that where any such seizure is carried out, a list of goods seized shall be prepared, as specified in the scheme, and a copy thereof, duly signed by the person authorised to seize the goods, shall be issued to the street vendor.

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(2) The street vendor whose goods have been seized under sub-section (1) may, reclaim his goods in such manner, and after paying such fees, as may be specified in the scheme:

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Provided that in case of non-perishable goods, the local authority shall release the goods within two working days of the claim being made by the street vendor, and in case of perishable goods the local authority shall release the goods on the same day of the claim being made by the street vendor.”

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Accordingly, considering the difficulties expressed by the authorities that if seizure memos are prepared on spot, other vendors who are in the area tend to escape action, the MCD and NDMC are permitted to issue seizure memos, in accordance with law within an outer limit of 24 hours from the seizure.

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Signature Not Verified

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W.P.(C) 10490/2026

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Page 3 of 4

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Digitally Signed By:RAHUL Signing Da te:1 0.09.2026 20:25:12

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The seizure memos shall mention the date of seizure, the list of goods seized, shelf numbers - if any, penalty/fine if any to be paid and shall bear the name, signature and designation of the concerned officer.

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Further, a similar manner of videography/photography, as stated by NDMC, shall also be done by the MCD while carrying out seizures. 15. Insofar as the constitution of Town Vending Committee-II is concerned, Mr. Sannu, ld. Counsel for MCD submits that 23 TVC members have been elected as of now. The list of nominated members/designated members from the various zones is awaited and upon the receipt of the same, the names shall be forwarded for notification of the TVC-II to the GNCTD. 16. Let the process be expedited as quickly as possible. 17. The present petition is accordingly disposed of in these terms. All pending applications, if any, are also disposed of.

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PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUDGE

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VIKAS MAHAJAN JUDGE

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SEPTEMBER 10, 2026

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Rahul/ss

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Signature Not Verified

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W.P.(C) 10490/2026

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Page 4 of 4

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Digitally Signed By:RAHUL Signing Da te:1 0.09.2026 20:25:12

Rehri Patri Ekta Manch v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Ors.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Rehri Patri Ekta Manch v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Ors.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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