‘ HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE HUMANS TOO, CAN’T ORDER THEIR REMOVAL’

HC denies PIL on unauthorized vendors, hawkers occupying footpaths in city

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday refused to pass any order for removal of homeless people in south Mumbai. While reading out its order, the court observed, “Homelessness is a global issue but people living on streets are also human beings with the same footing as everyone else.”

A division bench comprising Justice Gautam Patel and Justice Neelam Gokhale was dealing with an application filed in a petition taken up suo motu (on its own) by HC on the issue of unauthorized vendors and hawkers occupying the city’s footpaths and sidewalks.

The application filed by the Bombay Bar Association said several persons live and sleep on the footpaths and sidewalks near the Fountain area in south Mumbai.

The application said

Snippy Mood

In a satirical remark, the court said the BMC’s simplest solution to such challenges would be to start construction at the spot or build a Metro station. “Start digging and everyone will go away. No one gets to use the footpath then. No pedestrian can walk on it...no car can drive there...no one can live on it. Problem solved. The construction then goes on for years. It is an ideal solution,” Justice Patel quipped.

letters were also written to the city police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seeking action.

The bench, however, questioned what judicial order could be passed in such cases.

“Are you saying the city must get rid of the