HC seeks report on state of shelter homes

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Delhi government to file a status report on conditions in shelters for homeless and medical facilities provided to pregnant and lactating women.

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Delhi government to file a status report on conditions in shelters for homeless and medical facilities provided to pregnant and lactating women.

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This was after a plea by an inmate whose two-month-old baby died last month.

"Status report to be filed within three weeks regarding the living conditions of Jahangirpuri, Sarai Rohilla and Motia Khan shelter homes and also the existing medical facilities for pregnant and lactating women there," Justice Rajiv Shakdher said.

The court was hearing a plea filed by Priya Kale, who resides in the Motia Khan shelter home, seeking court's intervention saying "the current conditions at permanent shelters in Delhi are wholly inadequate and require substantial and continuous promotion, renovation and supervision".

She alleged that her two-month-old baby died last month due to "inhuman conditions" in the shelter home.

"This is particularly hostile for homeless pregnant and lactating women and their children who are an especially vulnerable group within the homeless community," the petitioner said. She also sought a direction to the government to compensate her for the loss of her child because of negligence of the respondents.