"We won't take elitist view to restrain beggars from begging:" Supreme Court issues notice on plea for rehabilitation of beggars

The Supreme Court on Tuesday remarked that people resorting to begging on streets is a socio-economic problem and the Court will not pass any directions to restrains beggars from seeking alms during COVID-19. .The Court cannot take an elitist view in that regard, a Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said. "We cannot grant the prayer to restrain them from begging, this is a socio economic problem. As Supreme Court, we will not take an elitist view," said Justice Chandrachud."Please do not press the prayer to restrain beggars from begging," Justice Shah also maintained. The Court was hearing a plea for rehabilitation of beggars. However, one of the prayers in the petition was to restrain beggars from begging in view if COVID-19. .The petitioner submitted that he won't press the prayer for restraining begging but maintained that the object of the plea is to ensure that beggars are rehabilitated and proper medical facilities are provided to them. The Court recorded the same in its order and issued notice to the Central and Delhi governments. "The manner in which Prayer (a) has been drafted seems as if a direction has been sought to restrain beggars from begging from all across India to contain the spread of Covid 19. The latter part of the petition is to seek rehabilitation of beggars. At the outset, the Court has indicated that it is not inclined to grant the prayer seeking a direction in the above terms. The reason why people generally are required to take to the streets to beg is to eek out a elementary livelihood. This is a socio economic problem and cannot be remedied by a direction as urged for under Prayer A. Sr Adv Sharma states that what is intended is not what is put through prayer (a) and that they seek rehabilitation for those who take to streets for begging. In the context of COVID19, they (beggars, vagabonds, homeless) are entitled to medical facilities as others. We issue notice. Permission granted to amend the plea so as to bring conformity as prayer (a) will not be pressed. Notice issued to Centre and NCT," the order said. .The plea was filed though Advocates Mohit Paul and Sunaina Phul..[Read Order]