Karnataka High Court Gives KR Market Footpath Shops 15 Days to Vacate

In an order balancing pedestrian access with the livelihoods of street vendors, the Karnataka High Court has given six shopkeepers operating below the Mysore Road flyover near K.R. Market 15 days to hand over vacant possession. The Court also preserved their right to seek alternative vending space through the statutory vending committee.

The order was passed on 17 July 2026 by Justice B.M. Shyam Prasad in W.P. No. 20863 of 2026 and connected matters (NC: 2026:KHC:36831).

What was the case about?

Six shopkeepers approached the High Court seeking protection against the proposed demolition of their premises below the Mysore Road flyover at K.R. Market. They relied on trade licences and argued that the authorities should not demolish or interfere with the shops without due process.

During the hearing, the State Government and the Greater Bengaluru Authority told the Court that:

• the trade licences relied on by the petitioners appeared to be dubious and were allegedly not signed by the Revenue Officer authorised at the relevant time;
• drawings placed before the Court showed that the shop premises stood on a public footpath; and
• the State was acting under directions of the Supreme Court to remove footpath encroachments.

These were submissions recorded in the order. The Court did not conduct a final trial on the authenticity of each trade licence.

What did the High Court decide?

During the proceedings, each petitioner filed an affidavit expressing willingness to surrender the occupied premises while seeking an opportunity to apply for relocation.

The Court accordingly disposed of the petitions with key directions:

1. Vacate within 15 days: The petitioners were given an outer limit of 15 days from 17 July 2026 to hand over the premises, which were under lock and key.
2. Removal without further notice: If possession is not handed over within that period, the authorities may dismantle the structures without issuing further notice.
3. Apply for relocation within six weeks: The petitioners may approach the Provisional Town Vending Committee, Bengaluru Central City Corporation, within six weeks.
4. Applications to be considered under law: If applications are filed, the Committee may consider them in accordance with the applicable legal framework.

Important takeaway: a trade licence is not a title document

A trade licence generally authorises the carrying on of a specified business. By itself, it does not establish ownership or tenancy over the land from which the business operates, and it does not automatically regularise an otherwise unauthorised occupation of public property.

Businesses operating on government land, road margins, footpaths or other civic spaces should therefore distinguish between permission to conduct a trade and a legal right to occupy the site.

What this means for Bengaluru

The order supports enforcement aimed at keeping public footpaths available for pedestrian movement. It also recognises that vendors seeking relocation must use the mechanism provided through the Town Vending Committee.

For civic authorities, the case underlines the need to combine:

• firm action against encroachments that obstruct pedestrian infrastructure;
• transparent verification of municipal licences and records; and
• fair, lawful consideration of rehabilitation applications submitted by eligible street vendors.

NammaWard View

This case reinforces three practical principles of urban governance:

• Public footpaths must remain accessible to pedestrians.
• A trade licence does not, by itself, confer a right over public land.
• Claims for relocation or rehabilitation should be decided through the statutory Town Vending Committee.

As Bengaluru reclaims pedestrian spaces, enforcement should be consistent and evidence-based, while genuine street vendors should receive a fair opportunity to pursue the remedies available under law.

Source: Karnataka High Court order dated 17 July 2026 in W.P. No. 20863 of 2026 and connected petitions, NC: 2026:KHC:36831.