Bombay High Court Orders Verification of Street Vendors Amid Migrant Concerns

Court Directs Action Against Undocumented Street Vendors

On Monday, the Bombay High Court instructed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Mumbai Police to carry out a comprehensive verification of all street vendors in the city. This action aims to identify and take necessary measures against undocumented migrants, as reported by a legal news source.

A division bench comprising Justices Ajay S Gadkari and Kamal R Khata was addressing multiple petitions that claimed undocumented migrants were engaging in unlawful hawking activities, according to another news outlet.

The court emphasized the need for authorities to confirm the identities of all street vendors, particularly those suspected of being non-Indian residents or Bangladeshis, who operate stalls or assist in vending activities.

If any individual is identified as an undocumented immigrant, the court stated that appropriate legal actions, including repatriation, should be initiated by the relevant authorities.

The bench warned that officials who neglect to take the required actions would face penalties, as noted by a legal news source.

Additionally, the court denied a request from the vendors' legal representative to prolong the stay on the enforcement of the 2014 Street Vendors Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending Act, highlighting that its implementation had already been postponed for seven years.

The vendors' counsel had sought a two-week extension to prepare a challenge before the Supreme Court.

This directive comes in light of recent actions by several states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which have detained numerous Bengali-speaking migrant workers since May, demanding proof of their Indian citizenship.

In various instances, individuals have been labeled as foreigners and forcibly sent to Bangladesh, despite being Indian citizens.

On February 28, Maharashtra minister Akash Fundkar announced that the state government would soon mandate online food and quick-commerce companies to implement police verification for their delivery personnel and gig workers.

During a session in the state Assembly, Fundkar expressed concerns regarding the safety of vulnerable groups, noting that companies like Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, and Amazon have hired delivery partners without adequate police checks.