HC directs Delhi govt to give food, water to slum dwellers at fire site

The Delhi High Court today directed the Delhi government to immediately provide necessary facilities, including water, tents and food, to the slum dwellers of Mansarovar Park in east Delhi where a massive fire broke out yesterday in which a six-year-old girl died.

The court asked the authorities -- AAP government, Delhi Police, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, National Disaster Management Authority and Delhi Development Authority -- to examine the situation immediately where 300 shanties were burnt.

When the court was informed that some NGO is providing water to the affected persons at the spot, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and C Hari Shankar asked the authorities to ensure that some containers or bottles are also made available to them.

"Authorities shall immediately examine the situation and ensure that facilities which are needed, including tents, be immediately provided to the residents of the slum," the bench said and listed the matter for further hearing on May 12.

The court also sought response of the Delhi government and other authorities on a plea by social activist Sunil Kumar Aledia seeking direction to provide water, food, medical facility, toilet, tent, clothes and utensils to the slum dwellers at the fire site.

The plea, filed through advocate Kamlesh Kumar Mishra, also said that the authorities be directed to organise voter ID and Aadhaar registration camps as the victims have lost their documents in the fire.

The plea also sought monetary compensation from the central government for the victims as they have lost personal belongings and their shelters.

As many as 300 shanties were gutted in the blaze that broke out at 1 pm yesterday. Fifteen firetenders were rushed to the spot near a railway line in Shahdara area and the fire was doused by 3.45 pm, the fire department officials had said.

The body of the girl was found after the fire was doused. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

The petition claimed that several livestock such as goats, hens and dogs were also burnt and many people have received burn and other types of injuries.