Delhi HC Issues Notice In Plea Seeking Food and Relocation For Labourers Stranded In Azadpur Mandi [Read Order]

The Division Bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Subramonium Prasad has issued notice to the Delhi Government and have asked it to file a detailed reply before the next date of hearing.

The order has come in a PIL filed by The Potato and Union Masakhour Merchant Association, seeking a direction to be issued to the Delhi Government to ensure that about 1000 labourers stranded at Azadpur Mani, Delhi, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, are provided two square meals in a day, till normalcy is restored in the Mandi.

Further, the Petitioner has asked for directing the Respondents to relocate the stranded workers to a Makeshift Shelter Home within or around Azadpur Mandi.

Mr Anuj Aggarwal, who appeared for the Delhi Government, informed the court today that as per information received from Sub Divisional Magistrate, there are 34 Relief Centres in the Model Town Sub-Division and two Hunger Relief Centres are situated within the Azadpur Mandi.

However, Mr Agarwal also informed the court that the Delhi Government will be filing a detailed reply on both the aspects raised in the petition.

Therefore, Delhi Government is directed to file a detailed affidavit with all the relevant data on or before 6th June, 2020. Rejoinder thereto, if any, may be filed within two days thereafter.

As an interim measure, the court has asked the Delhi Government to ensure that the two Hunger Relief Centres set up in Azadpur Mandi are provided enough cooked food so that the labourers stranded there can be provided packed lunch and dinner on a daily basis.

The court will next take up the matter on June 09.

The Petitioner in the present case was represented by Mr Sumit Rana.

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