Delhi: This was once a night shelter, for 50 homeless

The remains of the night shelter, at Sarai Kale Khan. Pic/PTI

The Delhi Development Authority on Wednesday demolished a night shelter home in Delhi's Sarai Kale Khan, amid police deployment. According to Advocate Prashant Bhushan, the authorities hurriedly tore down the shelter for over 50 homeless, and without providing an alternative accommodation.

Bhushan mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday morning for urgent hearing.

"Last evening, demolition of the night shelter was ordered in Sarai Kale Khan. It was prepo-ned and since they knew that we will mention the case, they are doing it now. We need immediate orders," he said. The CJI asked him to mention the matter before another bench.

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Before Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Dipankar Datta, Bhushan said the demolition was supposed to start at 10.30 am but the authorities commenced it at 10 am. The bench observed, "Nothing can be done now. If it is demolished, we have to now consider the question of rehabilitation. The urgency element has gone."

The SC will hear the matter on February 22. Sources in the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) said the shelter was demolished to make way for a proposed Metro corridor.

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