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Shelter for homeless: HC asks Delhi govt to show policy
Not satisfied with Delhi government`s efforts in providing shelter to homeless, the Delhi High Court directed it to apprise it about its policy for roofless and number of deaths caused due to cold.
New Delhi: Not satisfied with the Delhi government`s efforts in providing shelter to the homeless, the Delhi High Court on Thursday directed it to apprise it about its policy for the roofless and the number of deaths caused due to cold wave.
The directions were passed when the Delhi government informed the court that it has acquired seven unused buses to be used as temporary night shelters and is planning to acquire 20 more buses.
The government also rejected reports that it is concocting the number of night shelters and triplicating them.
"They (Delhi government) are directed to file affidavit indicating the policy of the state regarding permanent facilities which they are going to create for the homeless people and also the immediate steps which they are taking for providing help in emergency situation," a bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said.
"The Delhi government and the Delhi Police are also directed to file an affidavit about deaths which have taken place along with the post-mortem report, panchnama, if any conducted on the deceased for fixing up the responsibility," it ordered. The bench was informed by advocate Reena George that the joint apex committee, formed to look into issue of shelter, has not gone into the aspect of police brutality on homeless people.
On this, the bench said, "We direct the convenor of the apex committee to convene a meeting within a period of a week and discuss the issues once again and submit a report."
The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), which functions under the Delhi government, also submitted an affidavit in the court detailing the minutes of the meetings of the joint apex committee and the steps taken for sheltering the homeless.
"The Blue Line Transport Operators Association has volunteered to give seven unused buses to be used as temporary night shelters by DUSIB. DUSIB has got these buses prepared as night shelters by removal of all seats etc.
"Four of these buses have been stationed at AIIMS, opposite Safdarjung hospital and three buses have been stationed at Sarai Kale Khan bus terminal to provide night shelter to the possible homeless at these sites," the affidavit said.
The government also rejected reports that it is concocting the number of night shelters and triplicating them.
"They (Delhi government) are directed to file affidavit indicating the policy of the state regarding permanent facilities which they are going to create for the homeless people and also the immediate steps which they are taking for providing help in emergency situation," a bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said.
"The Delhi government and the Delhi Police are also directed to file an affidavit about deaths which have taken place along with the post-mortem report, panchnama, if any conducted on the deceased for fixing up the responsibility," it ordered. The bench was informed by advocate Reena George that the joint apex committee, formed to look into issue of shelter, has not gone into the aspect of police brutality on homeless people.
On this, the bench said, "We direct the convenor of the apex committee to convene a meeting within a period of a week and discuss the issues once again and submit a report."
The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), which functions under the Delhi government, also submitted an affidavit in the court detailing the minutes of the meetings of the joint apex committee and the steps taken for sheltering the homeless.
"The Blue Line Transport Operators Association has volunteered to give seven unused buses to be used as temporary night shelters by DUSIB. DUSIB has got these buses prepared as night shelters by removal of all seats etc.
"Four of these buses have been stationed at AIIMS, opposite Safdarjung hospital and three buses have been stationed at Sarai Kale Khan bus terminal to provide night shelter to the possible homeless at these sites," the affidavit said.