The present petition was placed before the High Court of Delhi on urgent mentioning. Two of the residents of the Eidgah Old Mustafabad Camp are the Petitioners in the present matter. The petition was filed to seek an order from the court directing the respondent, the Government of NCT of Delhi, to deploy a team of qualified doctors and health officials for screening, testing and treating the residents of the camp keeping in mind the current outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi. It was further prayed that in order to maintain the hygiene of the camp and the adjoining areas to prevent the spread of the virus, GNCTD shall be directed to deploy sanitation workers.
Submissions by the Petitioner
The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners along with their families have been residing at the Eidgah Old Mustafabad Camp since 02.03.2020. They housed themselves at the camp after the violence had broken out in various places in North-East Delhi. It was further submitted by the counsel that there are over six hundred people residing at the camp, hence it becomes necessary to take into consideration the poor health and sanitation conditions of the camp, which can further assist in the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The counsel also referred to various newspaper articles which had highlighted the poor health conditions of the camp which was witnessed by a team of doctors who were part of a non-profit organisation working in the area.
Court’s Observations towards the situation at Eidgah Old Mustafabad Camp
The court observed the order passed by the Coordinate Bench on 20.03.2020 which also dealt with the issues prevailing at the Campsite. The Bench had ordered the concerned authorities to rehabilitate the riot victims and also take necessary steps to address the following issues:
(i) Provisions of a Fire Engine, Ambulance and Mobile Toilets at the subject camps;
(ii) Maintenance and upkeep of cleanliness (including cleaning of the drains)/hygiene and sanitation; and further enhancing essential public utilities, including the provision of beds
(iii) Taking the necessary steps to secure the health of the riot victims
(iv) Ensuring the availability of the Counsellors for the riot victims; and
(v) Setting up of Three Additional Camps at Bapu Nagar-25 Feet Road, Santosh Marriage Home-Mustafabad and Madarsa Babul Ulloom, Jafrabad.
The court directed the Respondents to comply with all the directions issued in the writ petition, within a reasonable time. The court further stated that the primary focus of the Respondents shall be to ensure a healthy environment and sanitisation at the campsites, especially in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The court also directed the respondents to send doctors, public health officials, equipment etc. for emergency medication to the Eidgah Old Mustafabad Camp, preferably within two days of the passing of the Order. It was also directed that adequate equipped sanitation workers shall be deputed to the camp and nearby areas for keeping the surrounding areas clean, to avoid any infection/contagious diseases.
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