New Delhi: The Supreme Court today asked
the Delhi government to investigate whether any organised
gangs are operating in running the beggars racket in the
national capital.
"You can investigate whether there are any organised
gangs behind these beggars," the bench said while asking
Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran to file a
comprehensive report on the various measures taken to curb the
beggars menace.
The apex court passed the direction while posting to
the second week of February further hearing on the PIL filed
by Karnika Sawhaney who had sought adequate measures to curb
the beggars menace at public places and adequate rehabiliation
measures for them.
Earlier, in a status report submitted to the court,
the Delhi government said that in addition to an existing
regular court at Sewa Kutir Complex to try beggars booked
under the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act 1959, it has set up
two more mobile courts from September 1, headed by special
metropolitan magistrates.
These mobile courts have so far handled 272 cases
relating to beggars booked under the Act.
-PTI
