Asking the KMC to allow litchi trading in the area, Justice Biswas said: “The KMC should examine the issue considering the livelihood of the persons involved in the seasonal business activity.”

The judge said that the KMC should find a solution in accordance with the law and explore a way to allow the traders to operate near the court premises.

Earlier, counsel of the petitioner, Aloke Ghosh argued that the civic body had allowed the traders to run their business for the last two decades.

It had even accepted conservancy charges from them and they had forked out a sum of Rs 3,05,000 last year. This year, however, the KMC suggested that they shift their business to the Ramlila ground.

The traders felt that the ground was not suitable for carrying out their business.

The petitioners also asked if the traders could be allowed to sell their wares under the Sealdah flyover in broad daylight, why they were denied the permission to sell litchis.