On June 19, 2026, the Supreme Court of India held that pedestrians' right to use a demarcated and well-maintained footpath is a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution. A bench of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice A.S. Chandurkar ruled this is integral to the right to movement under Article 19(1)(d), read with Articles 19(1)(a), (b), (c), and Article 21. The ruling came in Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz v. P. Ayyappan (2026 INSC 647), and the Court held that citizens can seek restitutionary remedy if this right is violated.
Polity
Supreme Court Declares Right to Walk on Demarcated Footpath a Fundamental Right
Key Points
- On June 19, 2026, the Supreme Court of India held that pedestrians' right to use a demarcated and well-maintained footpath is a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution
- A bench of Justice P.S
- Narasimha and Justice A.S
- Chandurkar ruled this is integral to the right to movement under Article 19(1)(d), read with Articles 19(1)(a), (b), (c), and Article 21
- The ruling came in Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz v
- Ayyappan (2026 INSC 647), and the Court held that citizens can seek restitutionary remedy if this right is violated
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📎 Read original source ↗Exam Note
• SC ruling (June 19, 2026): right to walk on demarcated footpath = fundamental right • Bench: Justice P.S. Narasimha + Justice A.S. Chandurkar; Case: 2026 INSC 647 • Basis: Article 19(1)(d) [movement] + Article 19(1)(a,b,c) + Article 21 [life and liberty] • Restitutionary remedy available to citizens if right is violated
