In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court in **Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz & Anr. v. P. Ayyappan & Ors.** declared that the **Right to Walk on safe and demarcated footpaths is a Fundamental Right under Articles 19(1)(d) and 21 of the Constitution**. The case arose from the tragic death of a five-year-old child who was hit by a water tanker while walking on a road without a footpath. Setting aside the High Court's order, the Supreme Court enhanced the compensation from ₹4.70 lakh to **₹11.44 lakh** with interest. The Court observed that roads should prioritize pedestrians and held that urban local bodies have a mandatory duty to construct and maintain footpaths. It also directed that the matter be treated as an Article 32 petition to develop a broader legal framework for pedestrian rights. The judgment reinforces that the right to life includes the right to safe mobility and dignified access to public spaces.