Mumbai: The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended protection from eviction to over 250 hawkers operating at Colaba Causeway, granting them relief until the Bombay High Court decides on their pending petition. The court also directed that, in the event the High Court rules against the hawkers, the protection will continue for an additional three weeks to allow them to seek further legal remedies.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan passed the order while hearing an application filed by the Colaba Causeway Tourism Hawkers Stall Union. The union, which represents 252 hawkers, approached the apex court through advocate Nupur Kumar, highlighting ongoing action by local authorities—including fines, confiscation of goods, and displacement—despite their petition being pending before the High Court.
The union informed the court that the Bombay High Court had deferred hearing their interim plea against eviction to June 19, without granting any relief in the meantime. They sought an extension of the Supreme Court’s January 2025 order, which had initially protected them from eviction without court permission. That protection was last extended in March 2025 for three months and is set to expire on June 3.
Taking into account the humanitarian concerns, the Supreme Court granted the extension and ensured a further three-week buffer post any adverse High Court ruling.
The hawkers cited the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, arguing that although the Act was enacted by the Centre in May 2014, the Maharashtra government has yet to notify it.
They pointed out that a vendor survey had been conducted in August 2014, but vending certificates were never issued, despite many of them operating in the area prior to the Act and some holding valid licenses. The matter is scheduled for hearing before the High Court in June 19.
