Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports on demolition of night shelters in the city, the Supreme Court on Wednesday restrained the Delhi government from razing such structures. The court fixed the matter for urgent hearing on Thursday saying that it serve no purpose if it was taken up in February, as scheduled earlier in the wake of the biting cold conditions prevailing. A bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma asked the Delhi government not to demolish night
shelters. “Otherwise, we will pass orders,” the bench observed.
One of the Delhi government counsels present during the hearing informed the court that 64 permanent and 43 temporary night shelters have been set up. However, the court said that it was more concerned about reports of demolition. “We hope the reports are not true,” the bench said.
Meanwhile, DDA vice-chairman on Wednesday suspended executive engineer, eastern division-7, Arif Ali, for non-compliance of the directions regarding night shelters issued in connection with a court case.
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Provide all amenities, says HC
AGE CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi
Dec. 15: The Delhi high court on Wednesday ordered the civic bodies to provide basic amenities at night shelters in three days. The high court showed displeasure with the MCD, NDMC and Delhi Jal Board for lack of co-ordination in providing basic amenities at the night shelters. The court also expressed anguish over demolition of shelters.
A division bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Manmohan on Wednesday said: “The shelters do not meet the requirement where people can live with dignity.”