Court raps Delhi government on lack of night shelters
February 10th, 2010 - 10:56 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Feb 10 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Wednesday pulled up the state government for the plight of homeless people in the city.
A division bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw expressed shock over the government counsel’s submission that according to the new Master Plan 2021 there is provision for only 15,000 people to live in night shelters in the capital.
“This is such a bad approach. This is not expected from the government. How can you (government) be so insensitive towards homeless people?” the bench said.
The court was hearing a suo motu case based on a newspaper report highlighting the plight of people rendered homeless after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi demolished a structure on the Pusa Road on west Delhi.
Condemning the status report of the government that stated that if night shelters are opened in every locality, there would be protests from the residents, the court said, “It is a sad statement. The concept of night shelters is not a new thing. So, how can you (government) make such a statement?”
The court directed the Delhi Legal Services Authority’s secretary Asha Menon to visit all the night shelters and file a status report by Feb 17.
The court was also surprised when the NGOs working for the welfare of homeless in the city informed the bench that directions of the court were not abided.
The court said, “How can you (government) defy the court’s orders? We will pass directions in this regard.”
- Delhi not to restore demolished night shelters - Dec 19, 2011
- Restart night shelters immediately: High court to Delhi government - Dec 13, 2011
- Court wants long-term plan for city's homeless - Jan 22, 2010
- Ensure night shelter for Delhi's homeless, court tells MCD - Jan 13, 2010
- Court to MCD: Give shelter to people of demolished night centre - Jan 07, 2010
- Court ticks off MCD for demolishing night shelter (Lead) - Jan 06, 2010
- Court pulls up MCD for demolishing night shelter - Jan 06, 2010
- Court asks government to publicise night shelters - Feb 17, 2010
- Don't beautify at cost of poor, court tells Delhi - Jan 19, 2010
- Court orders basic facilities at shelter within 48 hours - Feb 02, 2011
- Court wants early meeting of panel on media - Mar 07, 2012
- Insensitive, callous to demolish night shelters: Apex court (Lead) - Dec 16, 2010
- Apex court rues lack of basic amenities to people - Feb 10, 2010
- Supreme Court restrains Delhi Govt. from demolishing night shelters - Dec 15, 2010
- Court dismisses Delhi orphanage's plea - Feb 29, 2012
Tags: ajit, asha, chief justice, delhi government, delhi high court, division bench, government counsel, homeless people, locality, municipal corporation of delhi, newspaper report, plight, prakash shah, pusa road, rajiv, raps, sad statement, sahai, suo motu, west delhi