The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will consider the issue of rehabilitation of people after taking note that the night shelters at Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi have been demolished under the orders of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). By the time the matter was taken up by the bench, comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice Dipankar Datta, the night shelter had already been demolished.The bench said since the demolition is already over, there is no emergency element left now and it will consider the rehabilitation part on February 22.
The Delhi Police has asked DUSIB to shift the night shelter at Sarai Kale Khan before the scheduled G20 summit in September amid concerns that it is being used by criminals and miscreants. The police said it has often been observed that it is the “favourite hideout” of bad characters and history-sheeters.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the residents of the shelter home, told the bench that they came to know about the demolition last evening and the time given for the demolition was 10:30 am but they preponed it.
The bench said, “We will consider the rehabilitation aspect of the other pending cases which are coming on February 22.”
The plea stated that the shelter currently houses 50 homeless residents and the demolition was scheduled today without any alternate arrangements in place. The plea seeks a stay on the demolition of night shelter located at Sarai Kale Khan, Delhi.
Bhushan had first mentioned the case before the bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, who asked him to approach the bench which was already hearing the matter.
By the time Bhushan reached the other bench to mention the case for urgent hearing, the bench had already begun hearing another case.
At 11:20 am, when the matter was finally heard, the demolition, which began at 10:10 am, was already completed.
The plea was filed in the already pending petition of homeless people and stated, “The shelter home which is proposed to be demolished is violating article 21- right to dignity and Supreme Court orders regarding the need for ensuring night shelters for the homeless.”
“Orders for the removal of the shelter by criminalising the homeless or for the beautification of the city and the construction of dream projects cannot be allowed and amount to a gross violation of the right to life of the homeless,” the plea stated.
