The Delhi High Court on Wednesday while hearing a petition filed by a social activist Rahul Roy for ensuring the safe passage of injured people in riot-hit areas of North-East Delhi said, “it cannot let another 1984 to happen in the city not at least under their watch.”
Resuming the hearing at 2:15 pm, of the special sitting of High Court convened at 12:30 am today, the bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Anup Jairam Bhambhani said that this was the time for to reach out to people for support and assistance. “Every victim should be attended by the highest functionary so that they are assured of their safety,” said the bench.
“Keep aside your political differences and make your highest functionary visit the victims at priority,” added Justice Muralidhar.
Advocate for the petitioner Suroor Mander informed the court there have been arson and many people have left their houses in fear in the Northeast District.
Justice Muralidhar said the both the Central and State government leaders to go and meet people in the affected areas. “The highest Constitutional functionaries should move in Z+ security. It is time to show security is for everyone,” said Muralidhar.
Delhi Police informed the court that they would send a requisition for private ambulances in coordination with the Secretary Health.
Director of Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences was also directed to provide sufficient number of qualified professionals to cater to the riot victims suffering from trauma. Directing the Nodal officer of the court to coordinate with all everyone and take prompt action.
Court also asked the Delhi Police to make special request to the District Judges and other officers, so that they are available after court hours.
The order also directed various Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) to ensure that their helplines on 24*7 for the next 2 weeks, with a roster being prepared of advocates who would immediately attend such calls and cater to the legal-aid requirements of the victims.
Senior Standing Counsel Rahul Mehra told the bench that Night Shelters and community centers should be used for the victims who have been displaced because of the riots for accommodating them. “Community centers and night shelters have basic facilities like blanket, food, medicines and sanitation with clean drinking water in ensured,” he said.
The bench said that additional night shelters may be required and asked the nodal officer of the court to coordinate.
The court as well-appointed Zubeida Begum as Amicus Curiae in this matter.
The bench has also asked to designate “Night Magistrates” who would be available between sunset and till the regular opening hours of the court to address the urgent needs of the times.”
The special sitting convened at 12:30am had directed the Delhi Police to deploy all resources at its command ensuring the safe passage of injured people in riot-hit New Mustafabad area in North-East Delhi to the nearest available government hospitals, on a writ petition filed by social activist Rahul Roy against the Government of Delhi and others.
Judge S Murlidhar J had received a call from advocate Suroor Mander explaining dire circumstances in which wounded people were lying in very small hospital with less facilities, Al Hind Hospital, Mustafabad, were not allowed to be shifted to nearby GTB Hospital situated in Dilshad Garden, and she requested an urgent hearing.
The special sitting was convened by a coram of two judges Justices S Murlidhar and Anup Jairam Bhambhani in the house of Justice Murlidhar on the orders of senior-most Judge of High Court GS Sistani, as Chief Justice was not present at the moment.
Advocate Suroor arranged a doctor from Al Hind Hospital to speak to the judges over phone. The doctor appraised the court of the situation in the hospital. Alok Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police and Rajesh Deo, DCP(Crime) was also present for the hearing. The doctor told the court that 2 dead persons were lying in the hospital and 22 injured persons were then lying in the hospital and he despite seeking help from the police was unsuccessful to send them to nearby government hospital.