Residents in tears as slums razed in South East Delhi’s Madrasi camp
Police stood guard as residents, many of whom have lived here for decades, protested with their belongings piled along the roadside.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ruled that begging is not a criminal offense and struck down laws penalizing it.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar struck down the provisions prosecuting begging under the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act.
Advertisement
The bench decriminalized begging and said that prosecution under the provisions of the Act was “unconstitutional”.
Advertisement
However, the court granted liberty to the Delhi government to bring in alternative legislation to curb the racket of forced begging after undertaking an empirical examination of the sociological and economic aspect of the matter.
The court was hearing two public interest litigations by Harsh Mandar and Karnika Sawhney to seek basic human and fundamental rights for beggars in the national capital and for decriminalizing begging.
The pleas also sought basic amenities such as proper food and medical facilities at all beggar homes in Delhi.
Advertisement
Related posts
Demolition drive at Delhi’s Madrasi Camp amid residents’ discontent
The operation, which began amidst heavy deployment of paramilitary forces and the Delhi Police, is targeting the removal of over 300 slums.
Parents move HC against expulsion of 32 private school students over fee
More than 100 parents moved Delhi High Court seeking protection of their wards amid the ongoing row over fee hike at DPS Dwarka and sought its takeover by the government and lieutenant governor in the capital.
