Kerala High Court Holds Street Vendors Act Applies Only to Urban Local Bodies

The Kerala High Court held that Grama Panchayats were not “local authorities” under Section 2(1)(c) of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.

A street vendor sought protection under the Act for vending near the Thamarassery Civil Station, but the Court found that the statute applied exclusively to urban local bodies and did not extend to Panchayats.

The Court noted that the legislative scheme contemplated regulation of vending only in urban areas through Town Vending Committees.

The Court closed the petition and granted liberty to seek permission from the Panchayat to conduct vending activities without obstructing traffic or public movement.

[Musthafa K v State of Kerala & Ors]