Aishwarya Rathore –
Published on August 05, 2021, at 06:45 PM
The Delhi High Court on Thursday ordered the Delhi Government to consider a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding basic facilities for persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries, living in refugee camps in the National Capital.
A Division Bench directed the concerned authorities to decide the representation as per law and policy applicable to the facts.
The petition was submitted by the founder of an NGO and four other individuals who claim to have fled Pakistan owing to ethnic persecution and are now residing in refugee camps located at Majnu Ka Tilla and Signature Bridge areas of Delhi.
They claimed to have been deprived of water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and electricity. It was also alleged that the women and children living in these refugee camps are at heightened risk of gender-based violence.
Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Gautam Jha argued that the Delhi Government was obligated to provide the facilities to the camps and highlighted that in spite of a direction by the National Human Rights Commission, no steps were taken by the authorities.
The petition stated, “It is the legal and moral responsibility of the Indian government to take care of the minority people persecuted in Pakistan and all those who come to India to provide them durable solutions and integrate them in the society.”
Stating that the Delhi Government is obligated to provide basic facilities to these minorities, the Petitioner urged for directions providing protection and durable solutions to the affected population.
Also read: Delhi HC directs Govt to decide on risk of Covid spread in Air-conditioned spaces