No night shelters to be removed: Supreme Court

Taking exception to the action of the civic-authorities in removing night shelters meant to give respite from the winters to the homeless destitute, the Supreme Court has passed stern directions in this matter. Holding that the authorities could not be oblivious to the concerns of the poor, the Supreme Court has required inquiry to be conducted against those who have directed the removal of the shelter. Further providing for the homeless, the Supreme Court directed the Government to ensure that no further deaths take place due to lack of winter shelters.

The Court passed the following directions;

Last year, a number of deaths of homeless people were reported in the Capital city of Delhi because of bitter cold weather. On Court's urgent directions, number of shelters were constructed. This year also, winter is quite intense. 

It has been brought to our notice that two night shelters located at Nehru Place and Kalkaji, Delhi were erected on vacant land belonging to the Delhi Development Authority ('DDA'). Those two night shelters have been demolished only three days ago by the DDA.

This indeed is a matter of great anguish, disappointment and astonishment. How could the concerned authority be so insensitive, impervious and callous to demolish night shelters when the bitter cold winter has already set in? In case, proper night shelters are not provided to the homeless and they are compelled to live under the open sky, particularly in places where intense winter has set in, similar unfortunate deaths of homeless people are bound to occur.

This is a matter of great anxiety and concern. It is the bounden duty of the Union of India and the State Governments to ensure at all costs that no death takes place because of lack of night shelters or basic facilities.

To preserve and save the lives of the people of this country has to be given top priority by the State. No laxity or lapse on this count can be countenanced. On a consideration of the totality of the facts and circumstances of this case, we deem it appropriate to give following directions:

(i) The DDA is directed to re-erect two night shelters which were demolished from Nehru Place and Kalkaji, as expeditiously as possible, in any event, within three days from today. Until then, the homeless people may be accommodated in some other homes or night shelters. An affidavit of compliance be filed by the Vice Chairman of the DDA himself within a week. The DDA is further directed to hold an inquiry and take appropriate action against the officers who were responsible for demolishing the two night shelters. 

(ii) We direct the Union of India and all the State Governments and their instrumentalities not to demolish any night shelter without providing proper alternate night shelter till further orders.

(iii) All the concerned Chief Secretaries of the States and the Administrators of the Union Territories would issue necessary instructions to the concerned authorities within thee days. All the concerned instrumentalities of the States and agencies are directed to cooperate and coordinate with each other to ensure that no life is lost in the absence of a night shelter or basic facilities. 

This order has to be complied with in letter and spirit.

Learned Additional Solicitor General submits that all the 64 permanent shelters in Delhi will become operational within a week from today and thereafter there will be a joint inspection by the officials of the Delhi Government and the representatives of the petitioner organisation and a report shall be submitted to this Court within ten days. Let this matter be listed as a first item on the reopening i.e. 3rd January, 2011.

Have a look at the order of the Supreme Court.