Authority: High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur
Order Date: 20.08.2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Koni Vyapari Kalyan Sangh (represented by Assistant Secretary Shri Sanjay Sahu) seeking relief for 121 street vendors operating in the Koni area, Zone 8 of Bilaspur Municipal Corporation.
- Respondents: State of Chhattisgarh (Urban Administration & Development), Bilaspur Municipal Corporation, Bilaspur Smart City Limited, Zone Commissioner (Zone 8), Collector Bilaspur.
- The petition challenged eviction notices issued to vendors under Sections 322 and 323 of the Chhattisgarh Municipal Corporation Act, alleging that the Municipal Corporation failed to conduct the statutory survey and relocation exercise mandated by the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014 and the Chhattisgarh Street Vendors Scheme 2016.
- The petition sought: (i) quashing of all eviction notices, (ii) protection of vendors under the 2014 Act, (iii) implementation of Scheme 2016 provisions, (iv) a survey and designation of a vending zone in Koni, and (v) other appropriate reliefs.
- Respondent counsel argued that an alternative relocation site near Turkadih Pool had been identified and communicated to the vendors, who allegedly refused to shift, rendering the petition moot.
- State counsel clarified that the grievance is solely against the Municipal Corporation’s eviction notices; no relief is sought against the State itself.
Court Observations & Directions
- The Court held that the Municipal Corporation must carry out the statutory exercise prescribed under the 2014 Act and Scheme 2016, including a comprehensive survey of the 121 vendors, identification of an appropriate vending zone/area, and consideration of relocation/reallocation in accordance with law.
- The Corporation is required to afford each vendor a reasonable opportunity of hearing before finalizing any relocation.
- A reasoned and speaking order must be issued within 90 days from receipt of a certified copy of this order.
- The interim protection granted to the vendors by the Court’s order dated 16‑02‑2024 shall remain in force until the statutory exercise is completed and the final order is passed.
Final Outcome
- The writ petition is disposed of; no order as to costs.
- The Municipal Corporation is directed to comply with the above statutory procedures and timelines.
Topics: Street Vendor Regulation, Municipal Eviction