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Only licensed street vendors entitled to operate, rules Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court says unregistered hawkers are free to apply afresh for vending in specified zones including in Chandigarh Sector 26.

3 min readChandigarhNov 11, 2025 05:43 PM IST

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by five street vendors seeking temporary vending space in the Chandigarh Sector 26 mandi and continuation of their commercial activities until the market is shifted to Sector 39, holding that only licensed and registered vendors are entitled to operate under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014.

A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry noted that only one of the petitioners had held a vending licence, which had already been deemed cancelled due to default in the payment of dues. The remaining four petitioners had never been registered as street vendors, the court recorded.

During the hearing, the counsel for the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation submitted that the vendor whose licence was cancelled was among 4,003 defaulters who failed to pay installments under a payment scheme approved by the Town Vending Committee on October 7, 2024, and later by the corporation’s General House on November 23, 2024. While 136 vendors deposited the first installment, the remaining 4,003 did not, resulting in the automatic cancellation of their licences and allotments, the counsel said.

The corporation also clarified that vending rights are strictly governed by the 2014 Act and that only those surveyed and registered might be considered for vending licences. It further argued that the petitioners operating inside the Sector 26 mandi fell under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, not the 2014 Act, and that vending activities in the mandi cannot be permitted unless a specific street-vending zone is notified there.

The vendors argued that several of them had been surveyed earlier. They sought reassessment of their cases and issuance of licences, besides a temporary vending space until the shift to Sector 39 is completed. They pressed that their representation to the authorities be decided.

However, the bench held that no mandamus could be issued without the vendors holding valid licences. It observed that street vending is permissible only after the issuance of a vending certificate and the allotment of a site under Chapter II of the Act.

While dismissing the petition, the court granted liberty to petitioner no. 2 to challenge the cancellation of his licence before the competent authority. The remaining petitioners were granted liberty to apply for vending licences under the 2014 Act, subject to the availability of space in notified vending zones.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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