NHRC notice to the Delhi Government over the reported stopping of food to a shelter home in the Nizamuddin area being run by it for about 500 inmates; also decides to depute its team to investigate the spot

New Delhi, 1st May, 2023

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report on the plight of inmates of a Delhi Government Shelter Home in the Nizamuddin area. Reportedly, they have been starving for food as the supply of the same by the government has been stopped.

The Commission has observed the contents of a media report, if true, amount to a serious issue of violation of human rights of the helpless inmates and a matter of concern. It is the duty of the state to ensure that no one is left without food even for a day in the shelter home. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi calling for a detailed report in the matter within one week regarding the present status of the food supply in the Nizamuddin Shelter Home of Delhi and the health condition of the inmates, particularly children, sick and old age persons residing in the Shelter Home.

The Commission has also asked its Director General (Investigation) of the Commission is requested to depute a team headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police to conduct an on-the-spot fact-finding investigation in the matter and submit a report to the Commission.

According to the media report, carried on 28th April, 2023, there are about 500 people living in the Delhi Government shelter home. Some inmates stay with their young children and cannot arrange a square meal for them. Looking at the deteriorating condition of the poor inmates including the sick and elderly, the caretaker of the shelter homes are trying to feed them from their own pocket.

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