On May 8, the High Court of Delhi disposed of a writ petition filed under article 226 of the constitution seeking immediate relief for the Rohingya families who alleged to have been denied various relief packages announced by the Government of Delhi to combat the COVID-19.
The writ petition was listed before a two-judge bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Sanjeev Narula.
The contention of the parties
The petition has been filed by Fazal Abdali who has alleged that the Rohingyas families living in three different settlements in Delhi namely Khajuri Khas, Shram Vihar and Madanpur Khadar.
The petitioner has mentioned two emails in the petition. The first email dated March 31, 2020, the petitioner stated that in his recent conversations with refugee families it has come to his knowledge that one of the refugees was detained for some time by the local police in Shaheen Bagh when he was buying medicines.
In the other email dated April 23, 2020, the petitioner contested that the refugees are not being provided ration, adequate drinking water or medical facilities by the government authorities and that they are at the verge of starvation.
The petitioner stated that despite the order of May 11, 2018, of the Supreme Court, the respondent has failed to provide basic amenities stated above.
The learned counsel Sanjoy Ghose appearing for Government of NCT of Delhi has assured that the communities have been provided adequate ration and four hunger centres are also running close to the three camps as mentioned earlier.
Observation of the Court
The court noted that the petitioner has made general allegations of neglect of Rohingya refugee families without giving any specific particulars. Neither the names of the families with whom the petitioner had conversation nor the name of the individual who was detained by the local police has been mentioned in the said representation.
The court mentioned the specific interim direction of appointment of Nodal Officer by the Supreme Court. Hence, the petitioner should have approached the Nodal Officer with precise and specific allegations for actions.
This Court also said that as the matter is pending in the Supreme Court, it would not be appropriate to entertain a second writ petition.
Court’s Decision
The two-judge bench disposed of the present writ petition by way of video conferencing seeking immediate relief for Rohingya families.
The High court gave directions to the petitioner to approach the Nodal Officer under the order dated 11th May 2018 of the Supreme Court specifically mentioning the name and address of the refugee who has been denied medical aid or ration or drinking water.
The court also ordered that when such a representation is filed, the same shall be disposed of by the Nodal Officer by a speaking order within three working days.
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