Mumbai, Jun 24 (Reporter) The Bombay High Court on Monday came down heavily on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the police for failing to act against illegal hawkers who encroach on footpaths while observing that roads are cleared only during the visits of the Prime Minister and other VVIPs. A division bench of Justices M S Sonak and Kamal R Khata was hearing a suo motu plea initiated by the court after two shopowners from Borivali (East) complained that several unauthorised stalls had come up in front of their shop. During the hearing, the court also expressed concern over the assaults faced by BMC officers who take action against encroachments as well as on public complaints against illegal hawkers. The court said the authorities are effectively forcing people to walk on streets by depriving them of the “fundamental right to a safe place to walk” and directed that strict action be taken against illegal hawkers by identifying them effectively...////...