Manpreet v. Union Territory Of Chandigarh And Others

-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH *** Date of Decision: 01.05.2026 Manpreet .... Petitioner

Versus

Union Territory, Chandigarh and others ..... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASGURPREET SINGH PURI HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKAS SURI

Present:

Mr. Sunil Kumar, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Mr. Sanjiv Ghai, Additional Standing Counsel & Mr. Manpreet Singh, Advocate, for the respondent-M.C., Chandigarh.

**** JASGURPREET SINGH PURI , J.

(ORAL) 1.

The present writ petition has been filed under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to accept the outstanding vending fee/arrears pertaining to the last installment for March, 2026 in respect of Certificate of Vending (COV) No.20687/11319, the petitioner having already deposited the installments for January & February, 2026 and being prohibited from depositing the final installment within the stipulated period due to unavoidable circumstances and now being ready and willing to deposit the entire amount. 2.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner, being a street vendor, was unable to deposit the outstanding monthly vending fee because of his poor financial condition. He further submitted that although a last opportunity to deposit the said fee was granted to the petitioner, but he was precluded from doing so due to the aforesaid compelling circumstances. He therefore prayed that further time be granted to the petitioner by this Court

-2for depositing the outstanding vending fee. 3.

Learned counsel has referred to the judgment passed by a Coordinate Bench of this Court in CWP-6537-2026 titled as "Gurpreet Singh and another Vs. Union Territory of Chandigarh and others" decided on 08.04.2026 wherein considering the poverty of the petitioner of the aforementioned case, 10 days' time was granted to him to deposit the outstanding amount. He submitted that the petitioner may be granted 15 days further time to deposit the outstanding amount. 4.

At this stage, Mr. Sanjiv Ghai, learned Additional Standing Counsel appearing for Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh has submitted that the total amount outstanding against the petitioner is about 21,940/- and there is no dispute with regard to the fact that a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court, in similar circumstances, granted time to deposit the fee. He further submitted that the Municipal Corporation has no objection in case the petitioner deposits the aforesaid amount within the period specified by this Court. 5.

Learned counsel for the respondent further submitted that the petitioner is doing business at a place where he is not authorized, though he has already been allotted Site No.16, Zone-B, Sector-46, Chandigarh. He further submitted that there have been strict directions from Hon'ble Supreme Court with regard to street vendors who are doing business at unauthorized place and they are required to be shifted to the authorized site. 6.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner undertakes to shift to the authorized site, which has been so stated by learned counsel for the respondents, as per the relocation orders within a period of one month from today. He further submitted that the petitioner may be granted only 15 days' time to deposit the aforesaid outstanding vending fee. 7.

After hearing learned counsels for the parties and considering the

-3aforesaid facts and circumstances, the present petition is disposed of. Considering the financial constraints of the petitioner and the fact that he has been unable to deposit the outstanding amount, this Court therefore deems it fit and proper to allow the petitioner to deposit the aforesaid outstanding amount payable towards him within a period of 15 days from today. In the event the aforesaid amount is so deposited within the stipulated period of 15 days, the respondents shall accept the same and restore the licence of the petitioner forthwith. In default thereof, the petitioner's licence shall stand cancelled. 8.

Considering the specific undertaking given by learned counsel for the petitioner on behalf of the petitioner to this Court that the petitioner will shift to the designated site within a period of one month, it is directed that the petitioner shall comply with the aforesaid undertaking given to this Court, failing which, the licence granted to him shall stand cancelled. (JASGURPREET SINGH PURI) JUDGE 01.05.2026 (VIKAS SURI) Bhumika JUDGE

1. Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No

2. Whether reportable:

Yes/No