The bench made the observation while hearing a motor accident compensation case (Representational image) NEW DELHI: In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the right to walk on a demarcated footpath is a fundamental right and shall have priority over movement by vehicles.A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and AS Chandurkar made the observation while hearing a motor accident compensation case in which a father lost his five-year-old son while taking him to school.“The right to walk is a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution. It is integral to the right to movement guaranteed under Article 19(1)(d), read with Article 19(1)(a), Article 19(1)(b), Article 19(1)(c) and Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The fundamental right to walk will take within its sweep the right to demarcated footpaths. These rights are primary and shall have priority over movement by motorised vehicles,” PTI quoted the bench as saying.The top court further held that the fundamental right to walk on demarcated footpaths carries a correlative duty, adding that if a road exists, there is an obligation to ensure demarcated and well-maintained footpaths for pedestrians.It noted that duty bearers include urban development authorities, municipal corporations, municipalities, and even panchayats, which must endeavour to demarcate, construct, maintain, and safeguard pedestrian infrastructure, as walking forms an integral part of the right to life.The Supreme Court also observed that violation of the right to walk on demarcated footpaths would entitle citizens to invoke constitutional and legal remedies for restitution and compensation, independent of remedies available under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRSS At 100: Why The Organisation Remains Unregistered And Why The Issue Keeps Returning?From Net-Zero Design To Cargo Hub: What Makes Jewar Airport Different?Why Brahmins Are Suddenly At The Centre Of UP’s 2027 Political Battle | SP vs BSP vs BJP ExplainedTMC Escalates Battle To Delhi As Abhishek Banerjee Seeks Action On Rebel MPsJio Files DRHP With SEBI | Mukesh Ambani Hands IPO Leadership To Isha, Akash & AnantFrom ‘Brother-in-Ideals’ To A Cold Greeting: Stalin’s Message Exposes DMK-Congress RiftLNG Tanker ‘DISHA’ Reaches Gujarat After Hormuz Crossing, Boosting India’s Energy ConfidenceUP CM Yogi Adityanath Defends SIT Probe In Ram Mandir Donation Row, Says Truth Will Be RevealedCockroach Janta Party Seeks ₹1 Crore Compensation For Families Amid NEET Suicide CrisisEx-PM I.K. Gujral’s Son Duped Of ₹7.8 Crore, Cops Claim ‘Majority’ Of Amount | Watch123PhotostoriesNew York’s first lady Rama Duwaji made bootleg Knicks merch look runway-readyFrom earning Rs 700 in his first job to doing plays with Dilip Joshi and Disha Vakani: When Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s Tanmay Vekaria Aka Bagha got candid about his life5 signs of emotional manipulation in relationships, as per mental health counselor10 regional jackfruit dishes from across the world and why it is celebrated so muchFrom respecting Gauri Khan’s space to teaching his sons to respect women: 5 times Shah Rukh Khan proved he is Bollywood’s ultimate green flag10 baby girl names that mean pure in different languagesFrom Alia Bhatt to Katrina Kaif: Inside the pilates routine that keeps these Bollywood divas fit6 most beautiful hidden villages in India that are absolutely worth a tripWhy were women banned from doing makeup on Bollywood sets? Sonam Kapoor’s makeup artist explains the breaking of the 59-year-old barrierInside Nia Sharma’s stunning Mumbai home: A luxe bar, breathtaking skyline views and lavish interiors123Hot PicksEngland vs New ZealandYuvraj SinghLionel MessiAP SSC resultsKannur University FYUGP TrialShiv SenaJD VanceStrait of HormuzHormoz nuclear power plantTop TrendingBihar gang-rapeUS-Iran Peace DealStock Market LiveFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeBEST bus strikeAIIMS BSc Nursing Admit CardMHT CET PCM 2nd attempt resultsGold rate todayIndia-UK FTA
NEW DELHI: In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the right to walk on a demarcated footpath is a fundamental right and shall have priority over movement by vehicles.A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and AS Chandurkar made the observation while hearing a motor accident compensation case in which a father lost his five-year-old son while taking him to school.“The right to walk is a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution. It is integral to the right to movement guaranteed under Article 19(1)(d), read with Article 19(1)(a), Article 19(1)(b), Article 19(1)(c) and Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The fundamental right to walk will take within its sweep the right to demarcated footpaths. These rights are primary and shall have priority over movement by motorised vehicles,” PTI quoted the bench as saying.The top court further held that the fundamental right to walk on demarcated footpaths carries a correlative duty, adding that if a road exists, there is an obligation to ensure demarcated and well-maintained footpaths for pedestrians.It noted that duty bearers include urban development authorities, municipal corporations, municipalities, and even panchayats, which must endeavour to demarcate, construct, maintain, and safeguard pedestrian infrastructure, as walking forms an integral part of the right to life.The Supreme Court also observed that violation of the right to walk on demarcated footpaths would entitle citizens to invoke constitutional and legal remedies for restitution and compensation, independent of remedies available under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
