NHRC issues notice to Delhi govt over deaths of homeless

NHRC issues notice to Delhi govt over deaths of homeless

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today issued a notice to the Delhi government seeking a report in connection with deaths of homeless persons on the streets of the city allegedly due to cold and rain.

The notice was served to the Chief Secretary, calling for a report within two weeks, according to an NHRC statement.

"The state government had failed to make a shelter plan and a policy for the homeless persons despite directives from the high court and the Supreme Court," the statement said.

The notice was issued after the Commission took suo motu cognisance of media reports about deaths of several homeless people due to cold and rains.

In one of the reports, carried on the January 19, it was stated that six persons died during the intervening night of the previous day around Kashmere Gate in North Delhi, it said.

Another report of the same date said due to the absence of night shelters, 12 homeless persons died in the national capital during the last 24 hours.

The Commission observed that the contents of the news stories, if true, raised a serious issue of violation of human rights.