Overview
- A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta stayed the High Court directive, issued notice, and kept the order on hold until further orders.
- Petitioner Ram Swaroop Yadav, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, argued the High Court acted in a PIL without hearing affected parties and contrary to binding precedents permitting vends in municipal jurisdictions.
- The Rajasthan government, through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, supported the stay, citing feasibility issues where towns and cities lie directly along national and state highways.
- The High Court had ordered removal or relocation of 1,102 outlets within two months and barred liquor-related signboards visible to highway users.
- Citing accident data and fatal crashes in Jaipur’s Harmada area and Phalodi that claimed at least 28 lives, the High Court framed the measures as necessary for road safety and the right to life.