The Delhi High Court was today told that the city police was providing necessary assistance to the AAP government in removing beggars from tourist spots, traffic intersections and religious places here.
The submission was made by the Delhi Police before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath hearing a PIL seeking basic amenities, including proper food and medical facilities, at all beggars' homes in the city.
Police in its affidavit informed the court that it has "appointed nodal officers in each district, in order to ensure providing police assistance to anti-begging squads of Social Welfare Department of the Delhi government".
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"Delhi Police is providing necessary police assistance to Social Welfare Department of the Delhi government to apprehend /remove beggars from the traffic intersections, tourist spots and religious places etc as an when required...
"19 Delhi Police personnel are permanently with the anti- begging squads," the affidavit stated.
It further said the concerned police officials of the districts including IGI Airport and Railways have been asked to issue necessary directions for removal of beggars and provide necessary police assistance in conducting the drive.
The police's response came in the backdrop of the court's notice to the agency on a plea which was transferred to it by the Supreme Court on January 30 this year.
The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on November 5, by when Social Welfare Department is supposed to file their counter affidavit with regard to the issues.
A PIL was first filed by Karnika Sawhney in the Supreme Court in 2000, seeking basic human and fundamental rights for the beggars in the national capital.
The PIL sought direction for appointing committees for periodic visits to these beggars' institutions and making of arrangements for clean shelter, proper food, clothing and other necessary basic amenities to the inmates.
