India, July 1 -- The Bombay High Court on Tuesday sought a detailed report from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) after it was informed that around 85 families have illegally obtained more than one hawker licence.

Observing that the issue of multiple licences within a single family has emerged as a "new facet", a division bench of justices A S Gadkari and Kamal Khata said, "People are taking advantage of the state's policy and turning it into business."

The court was hearing a bunch of petitions, including one by the Goregaon Merchants Association, which represents around 1,200 shopkeepers, alleging that authorities have failed to enforce street-vending laws and ensure free pedestrian movement. The petition also highlighted t...