Today, the Bombay High Court directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to carry out a detailed verification of all hawkers across Mumbai, including those suspected to be illegal immigrants or foreign nationals.

The Court asked the civic body and the police to identify such persons and take proper legal action wherever required.

This order came while hearing several petitions raising concerns about the rising number of unauthorised hawkers in the city. The detailed judgment is still awaited.

The Court also told the BMC to inspect all hawking stalls—temporary and permanent—across Mumbai, whether or not they are causing obstruction to traffic or pedestrians.

Taking a strict view, the Court warned that if the directions are not followed, the officials responsible may face personal liability. It also noted that the presence of foreign nationals among hawkers is creating problems even for local vendors.

When a lawyer requested a stay on the order to approach the Supreme Court of India, the Court refused, saying that the implementation of the Street Vendors Act has already been delayed for seven years due to continuous litigation.