Indore: HC Grants Relief To Shivaji Market Shopkeepers, Stays Relocation Lottery

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The shopkeepers of Shivaji Market, who have been running their businesses for decades, have received temporary relief from Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court. The court has put an interim stay on the relocation lottery process that aimed to shift them to Nandlalpura Complex under the government’s proposed Riverside Scheme.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 18. Indore Municipal Corporation had planned to relocate shopkeepers from Shivaji Market, situated along the banks of the Kanh River, as part of a redevelopment initiative. The new location was designated at Nandlalpura Complex and the allocation of shops was to be done through a lottery system, which was opened on February 10.

However, on the same day, 69 shopkeepers filed a petition in the High Court, opposing their forced relocation. They argued that they had been running businesses at Shivaji Market for over 30 years supporting the livelihoods of more than 5000 people.

The petitioners claimed that moving to Nandlalpura, which is away from the main road, would lead to financial ruin as it would significantly impact customer footfall. Besides, the shopkeepers claimed that the relocation process was undertaken without obtaining an NOC or approval from the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

They also accused the authorities of acting without giving them a fair hearing putting their future at risk. After considering these concerns, Justice Pranay Verma issued a notice to Indore municipal commissioner and deputy municipal commissioner and placed an interim stay on the lottery process.