SC directs status quo in Ahmedabad's Bhadra Complex street vendors case

The Supreme Court has directed the status quo as on date shall be maintained by the parties in appeal filed by Amdavad Municipal Corporation in Bhadra Complex street vendors case.

The apex court has said that, no street vendor shall be allowed to operate from carriageway. The matter is further likely to be heard on April 6.

Earlier on March 13, the Gujarat High Court had directed Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to immediately place 586 certified street vendors back in the designated vending zone at Bhadra Complex by March 21, 2026. However now the Supreme Court has directed to maintain status quo as on date. 

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice D N Ray declared the eviction of these certified street vendors from the area in September 2025 as illegal. The high court had emphasised that the eviction contravened the provisions of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act.

According to an affidavit submitted by the AMC  before Gujarat High Court on February 18, 2026, a total of 586 certificates have been issued to street vendors — 262 under the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) and 324 under CELO. The bench instructed that the verification process for these certified vendors' certificates be completed within one week, in the presence of representatives from SEWA and CELO. 

The high court had strictly prohibited uncertified vendors from operating within the Bhadra Complex vending zone. To maintain order during the allocation process, the police and district administration have been directed to prevent any untoward incidents or law and order issues on site.

The high court had said that no public streets or carriageways in the Bhadra Complex area shall be obstructed or occupied, and all such pathways must remain open for public use. Any violation of this directive by any party will be treated as contempt of court.

Rejecting the government pleader's plea to stay the operation of the order, the high court bench noted that the AMC had acted in defiance of the court orders.