"Street Vendors Act A Welfare Legislation": Plea In Kerala High Court By Street Vendors Challenges Thrissur Corporation's Eviction Order

A plea has been filed at the Kerala High Court challenging a notice issued by the Thrissur Corporation directing the eviction of street vendors engaged in selling second-hand books.

The writ petition was filed by a group of street vendors, who have been engaged in selling second-hand books in the streets of Thrissur City, mainly Palace Road, for more than 30 years.

“The present notice is a gross violation of the Act and the Rules framed for the protection of the street vendors, which is a welfare legislation introduced for the betterment of the livelihood of the street vendors and to prevent harassment and illegal evictions by statutory bodies across the state” states the plea.

The petitioners added that Section 3(3) of the Street Vendors Act provides that no street vendor is to be evicted or relocated until a survey has been conducted, pointing out that the present attempt at eviction is to “escape from non-compliance of the Act and Rules done on their part and erase all evidence of street vendors in the city by forcible means”.

The petitioners have approached the High Court to pass an order directing the respondent from taking any action for eviction of petitioners without providing adequate rehabilitation, relocation and duly complying with the due process of law.

The petitioners also seek an order directing the respondent to conduct a survey of street vendors (including the petitioners) as prescribed under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 and Kerala Street Vendors Scheme, 2019 and Rules in a timely manner and to issue certificates of vending and identity cards to the petitioners as per the Street Vendors Act.

Justice N Nagaresh will be hearing the matter.

Plea had been moved by Advocates Vinod PV, D Reetha and Shiyas KR

Case Number: WP(C) No. 8349 of 2024

Case Title: Shamnad N and ors. v. The Corporation of Thrissur Through Secretary and anr.