IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 06.01.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN

W.P.No.50488 of 2025

and

W.M.P.No.56533 of 2025

R.Lalitha @ Kalaimozhi .. Petitioner

Vs.

1. The District Collector,

Chennai District,

Singaravelar Maaligai,

Chennai – 600 001.

2. The Commissioner,

Greater Chennai Corporation,

Chennai – 600 003.

3. The Zonal Officer,

Zone-IV,

Greater Chennai Corporation,

T.H.Road,

Chennai – 600 081. .. Respondents

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India in the nature of writ of mandamus, directing the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents

herein to permit the petitioner herein to continue her street vending activities in the vending area which is situated at Venkatakrishnan Street, Old Washermenpet, Chennai – 600 021 and consequently, to direct the 2^nd and 3^rd respondent herein to allocate a similar place in a nearby area to the petitioner for her vending activities within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court in pursuance of the petitioner’s representation dated

25.11.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.B.Ganesha Moorthy For Respondents : Mr.M.Shajahan Special Government Pleader for R1 : Mr.E.C.Ramesh Standing Counsel for R2 and R3

O R D E R

The writ petition is filed to direct the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 25.11.2025, within a stipulated period.

2. The petitioner is a street vendor. She has been carrying on business of vending flowers and allied articles at Venkatakrishnan Street, Old Washermenpet, Chennai – 21.

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that, the respondents 2 and

3 are proposing to evict her, without giving her an alternate location, to carry on her street vending business. Hence, she gave a representation on

25.11.2025 and as it remained un-answered, she came forward with this writ petition.

4. When the matter came up on 26.12.2025, taking into consideration of plea made by the poor street vendor, I called upon Mr.E.C.Ramesh, to get instructions as to whether alternate location can be provided to the writ petitioner. Therefore, I listed the matter today. When I took up the matter, Mr.E.C.Ramesh, reported that it is not an intention of respondents 2 and 3 to evict the petitioner, and the reason why the respondents 2 and 3 are constrained to act against the petitioner is that, she has put up a permanent super structure over the street and that blocks the way of the Greater Chennai Corporation from developing the property, which is on the rear side of the place, where the petitioner is carrying on her business.

5. Mr.B.Ganesha Moorthy, states that the petitioner will dismantle the structure that she has raised and would adopt the same means of shelter, as adopted by the other street vendors, in the said area.

6. For ready understanding, the photographs are scanned and extracted hereunder:

7. The statement of Mr.B.Ganesha Moorthy, that the existing super structure will be dismantled and would be replaced by a large umbrella, as used by the other street vendors, is recorded. Similarly, the statement of Mr.E.C.Ramesh, that in case, the petitioner dismantles the existing super structure and continues her business using the umbrella as shelter, in such an event, respondents will not interfere with her business is also recorded.

8. Accordingly, recording the above submissions, the instant Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

06.01.2026 veda To

1. The District Collector, Chennai District, Singaravelar Maaligai, Chennai – 600 001.

2. The Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Chennai – 600 003.

3. The Zonal Officer, Zone-IV, Greater Chennai Corporation, T.H.Road, Chennai – 600 081.

V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN,J.

veda W.P.No.50488 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.56533 of 2025

06.01.2026