NationalFriday, 4 September 2026·Hindu Tamil Thisai
Delhi High Court on footpath encroachment: illegal huts, shops cannot be allowed
In September 2026, the Delhi High Court said footpaths are meant for pedestrians and cannot be occupied by huts or shops.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In September 2026, the Delhi High Court, while hearing petitions on demolitions in Lohar Basti, Lal Bagh, Azad Nagar and Vikas Samiti areas, held that footpaths are meant only for pedestrians and that huts or shops on them are illegal.
Key specifics
- Justice Jasmeet Singh heard the matter in the Delhi High Court.
- Encroachments were reported from Lohar Basti, Lal Bagh, Azad Nagar and Vikas Samiti in Delhi.
- The Public Works Department and the municipal corporation carried out demolition of huts and shops.
- The court said footpaths are built to avoid traffic congestion and for pedestrian movement only.
- The judge directed the government to consider the rehabilitation-related request within 4 weeks.
Exam lens
Polity and governance, urban public space, judicial review: Delhi High Court, footpath encroachment, pedestrian rights, 4-week government consideration. TNPSC may ask which court ruled that footpaths cannot be occupied by huts or shops.