Plea For Rehabilitation Of Beggars From Traffic Signals: Delhi High Court Seeks Delhi Govt, DUSIB, Commissioner Of Police Response

The Delhi High Court today issued notice and sought response of the Delhi government, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police, on a plea seeking directions to restrain beggars and vagabonds from begging on traffic junctions and markets to avoid the spread of Covid-19. The plea further seeks rehabilitation, food, medical aid and shelter for them.

Filed by one Narender Pal Singh, the plea states that these directions would benefit the "public at large" by keeping a check on the rampant spread of the viral infection, which "is being easily conveyed by beggars, and vagabonds roaming on traffic junction(s)."

The petitioner expresses concerns that coming in contact with hundreds of vehicles on a daily basis, and observing no Covid-19 protocol such as wearing masks or social distancing protocols, these persons can spread the disease "exponentially".

The petitioner states that beggars at traffic light points and market areas also jeopardize public health due to generally low standards of personal hygiene and the lack of any vaccination facility.

The plea therefore prays for a writ in the nature of mandamus or direction or order to the respondents directing them to "prepare a road map in order to restrain beggars and vagabond from begging on traffic junction and markets to avoid spreading Covid-19" and "rehabilitating them" with the help DUSIB, and to further ensure food,

shelter and basic medical amenities including Covid-19 vaccination to them. The petition also seeks the imposition and implementation of strict temporary measures to restrict begging at traffic junctions and market places.

Covid-19 testing of these persons and suitable rehabilitation according to Covid results is the final prayer of the petitioner.