Build shelter homes for homeless or face consequences: SC to govts

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh governments to build sufficient number of shelter homes for homeless people ahead of winters.

Sending a stern warning to state governments, a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said the states will have to face consequences if they fail to put shelter homes before the onset of winter.

"We will be very harsh to you if the shelter homes are not ready," the bench said.

The bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate E R Kumar alleging seeking its direction to governments to build shelter homes as many homeless people die due to cold in winter.

The bench said that it will send court commissioners to find out whether the governments have set up night shelters or not.

The apex court had earlier passed a series of orders for providing shelter to homeless people saying that right to shelter is a fundamental right.

"Nothing is more important for the state than to preserve and protect the lives of the most vulnerable, weak, poor and helpless people. The homeless people are constantly exposed to the risk of life while living on the pavements and the streets and the threat to life is particularly imminent in the severe and biting cold winter, especially in northern India," the apex court had said.