BackAwaiting state inputs on draft bill to decriminalize begging: Centre to HC
The bill aims at providing protection, support and rehabilitation to destitute persons
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New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday told the Delhi high court that it has drafted a fresh legislation to decriminalise begging and rehabilitate homeless people. The bill has been circulated to various states and is awaiting their inputs.
“A consultation meeting with various states seeking their comments on the draft bill was recently conducted. The bill aims at providing protection, support, rehabilitation to destitute persons," advocate Kushal Kumar, appearing for the Centre, told the court.
The submission was made before a bench headed by chief justice of Delhi high court G. Rohini which directed the Centre to submit a copy of the draft bill- The Persons in Destitution (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation) Model Bill, 2016, before the court.
The court was hearing two public interest litigations (PILs) seeking a new law decriminalizing begging and protecting the interests of beggars in the national capital region (NCR). The pleas have also challenged provisions of the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 which criminalises begging.
Petitioner Karnika Sawhney had also moved the Supreme Court in 2000, seeking basic human and fundamental rights for beggars in the NCR centred on Delhi. The case was heard by a bench comprising of justices M.B. Lokur and U.U. Lalit, who held that it would be appropriate for the Delhi high court to hear the case.
As of now, there is no law protecting beggers and most states have adopted the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959, which criminalises begging.
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