NHRC sends Delhi govt notice on shutting shelter homes

New Delhi: After receiving a complaint that the Delhi government is going to shut down a shelter home in the Turkman Gate area of the city, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued the government notice, PTI reported.

According to the complaint, the government has closed nine similar shelter homes, and no actions were taken by authorities.

The NRHC updated the proceedings of the case (PoC) on its website, which said that the facts regarding the cases are disturbing and the complainant's allegations are serious since it involves the right to life of "poor, hapless and helpless, homeless persons and indifferent attitude of the state authorities."

The case, therefore, involves a grave violation of the human rights of the inmates, victims. Such types of cases are viewed very seriously by the commission," the PoC reads.

The PoC said a notice had been sent to the Delhi chief secretary and asked him to hold the status quo until further orders. He has been asked to submit a complete report on the matter in two weeks, and in case of failure, he has been asked to report before the commission on May 31st.

The PoC reads, "In the meanwhile, DG (Investigation) of the commission shall depute a team of investigating officers for on-spot inquiry at all the aforesaid shelter homes and submit the report within ten days."

The complaint was filed on May 1st by the resident of the Shelter Home for Homeless (626), Haz Manzil, Turkman Gate, the PoC stated.