The Delhi High Court has refused to interfere with the ongoing elections for the Town Vending Committee (TVC) under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), holding that the election process should not be stalled over the grievance of an individual candidate. The Court, however, directed the MCD to communicate the reasons for rejecting the petitioner's nomination within two weeks.
Background of the Case
The petition was filed by Kanyawati, who sought inclusion in the forthcoming Town Vending Committee elections under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category. She stated that she belongs to the Ghewar community in Uttar Pradesh and possesses an OBC certificate issued by that State.
Her nomination for the election was rejected, and her name did not appear in the list of nominated candidates published on July 11, 2026. Before the High Court, the petitioner alternatively requested that her candidature be considered under the General category.
The MCD opposed the plea, submitting that the Ghewar community is recognised as an OBC in Uttar Pradesh but is not included in Delhi's OBC list. It also pointed out that the nomination form did not contain the signatures of the proposer and seconder. The petitioner's counsel argued that these reasons had never been communicated to her.
Court's Observations
A Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan relied on its earlier ruling in Dharamveer & Ors. v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi & Ors., which dealt with similar disputes arising from the TVC elections.
The Court noted that the Town Vending Committee elections are of significant importance because the committees have remained unconstituted for a long time, affecting the rights of thousands of street vendors. It also observed that the election process was being conducted in compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court.
Quoting its earlier decision, the Bench observed,
"These elections... ought not to be interdicted and held up due to grievances raised by any individual candidates."
It further noted that interfering after ballot papers had been printed could disrupt the entire electoral process.
Court's Decision
Following the same reasoning adopted in the earlier case, the High Court declined to interfere with the ongoing election process and made it clear that the TVC elections should continue without interruption.
At the same time, the Bench granted liberty to the petitioner to pursue appropriate legal remedies after the completion of the elections. It also directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to communicate, within two weeks, the reasons for rejecting the petitioner's nomination through an appropriate communication.
The writ petition was accordingly disposed of along with all pending applications.
Case Details
Case Title: Kanyawati v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi & Ors.
Case Number: W.P.(C) 10045/2026
Judge: Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan
Decision Date: July 23, 2026
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