The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday observed that it is extremely critical to provide night shelters to urban homeless persons amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The same needs to be addressed immediately by the State government, directed the Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj.

“Providing night shelters to urban homeless amid covid -19 is critical and needs to be addressed immediately. To enable the AG to take instructions, list the petition on June 4, 2021", the Court's order stated.

The Court was hearing a plea moved by NGO, People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) seeking implementation of a State government order dated May 29, 2014, with regard to urban homeless shelters.

During the hearing, the Court was informed that there are very few night shelters in the city of Bengaluru as well as other cities. The State had filed an affidavit detailing the number of night shelters in the State.

Further, the Court was apprised that during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State government had set up temporary night shelters for the urban homeless.

In this regard, the Court asked the State whether the same can be done during the second wave as well.

Previously, in March, the High Court had observed that the failure of the State government to provide basic shelter to homeless persons is a violation of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

The Bench of Chief Justice Oka and Justice Govindaraj further noted that if poor homeless people are left without shelter, it impinges upon their right to live a dignified life which is a facet of Article 21.

“State must be conscious of the fact that its failure to provide basic shelter to urban homeless may amount to violation of Right to Life guaranteed by Article 21 of Constitution of India. If poor homeless in the cities are without shelter, it is a violation of their Right to live a dignified life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the Court had said, in its March order.

The matter will be next heard on June 4.