Section 84 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978 - Obstructing a Footway

Section 84 protects pedestrian footways from obstruction by animals and vehicles. It prohibits specified activities on a footway and expressly excepts a perambulator.

Text of Section 84

Meaning and scope of Section 84

A footway is the pedestrian portion of a street or road, commonly called a pavement or sidewalk. Section 84 aims to preserve that space for people walking, including children, older people and persons with disabilities.

Driving, riding, loading, propelling or leaving an animal or vehicle

The prohibition covers several different acts: taking an animal or vehicle onto a footway, riding it there, loading it there, pushing or propelling it there, or leaving it there. It is not limited to permanent parking. Whether a particular object qualifies as a vehicle, or an area as a footway, depends on the applicable statutory definitions and facts.

Exception for a perambulator

The text expressly excludes a perambulator, an older term commonly used for a baby carriage or pram. The exception should not be assumed to cover every wheeled object.

Animals tied beside a footway

Even if an animal is tied outside the walking surface, Section 84 prohibits fastening it so that it can stand across or upon the footway. The position and reach of the tether are therefore relevant.

Practical examples

• Leaving a motorcycle or another vehicle on a pedestrian pavement may fall within the prohibition.
• Leading or riding an animal along a footway can attract the section, depending on the circumstances.
• Tying cattle so that they can move onto the pavement may contravene the express animal-tethering rule.
• Using a baby pram is covered by the stated perambulator exception.

Penalty under Section 97

Section 97 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978 provides the penalty for contraventions of Sections 80 to 96, including Section 84. On conviction, the fine may extend to Rs. 100; in default of payment of that fine, imprisonment may extend to eight days. These are the amounts and terms stated in the statutory text; other applicable laws may independently regulate or penalise the same conduct.

Related laws and pedestrian access

Section 83 deals more broadly with obstruction in streets and public places, including standing vehicles and goods left in streets. Section 81 addresses obstruction, danger or mischief involving animals or vehicles.

The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 separately protects and regulates lawful street vending. Its provisions on vending zones and certificates must be considered where a street-vending dispute arises; Section 84 should not be read as automatically overriding statutory vending protections.

Official legal sources

• Delhi Police Act, 1978 - official India Code PDF (see Sections 84 and 97).
• Street Vendors Act, 2014 - official India Code PDF.

This article explains the statutory provisions for general information. Applicable amendments, local orders and the facts of a particular case should be checked before taking legal action.