The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has come down heavily on the local administration and police for their blatant failure to provide temporary shelters to protesters arriving in the city during the ongoing Winter Session of the Maharashtra legislature. Despite a clear judicial order to protect citizens from the severe cold, authorities instead chose to forcibly evict them.
Court's Suo Motu Action and Directives Ignored
Taking note of the hardships faced by people, especially from rural and remote areas of Vidarbha and other parts of Maharashtra, who gather in Nagpur in large numbers to demonstrate during the session, the court had initiated a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL). A bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas had directed the authorities to make necessary arrangements to prevent protesters from sleeping on the streets in the biting cold. The court had specifically ordered the setting up of emergency shelters at all protest sites.
To oversee this, a three-member committee headed by Advocate Abhishek Bhuibhar was constituted. However, during a hearing on Thursday, the grim reality came to light. Instead of offering shelter, the police were deployed to remove the protesters.
Forceful Eviction Draws Judicial Ire
The bench expressed strong displeasure after reviewing a report submitted by the administration. The judges stated they were fully aware of the ground reality. It was revealed that around 50 to 55 police personnel were deployed to evict the protesters. The court took particular objection to the language used by the police, noting instances where they told citizens, "Vacate the place or get into the vehicle," a approach deemed inappropriate and unacceptable by the justices.
The court criticized the administration's report, highlighting the gap between its directives and the actions on the ground. The matter has been scheduled for a next hearing after the Christmas vacation.
Scope Expanded to Address Nagpur's Homeless
Moving beyond the immediate issue, the bench decided to expand the scope of the petition. It will now also address the perennial issue of homeless persons and beggars in Nagpur city. The court advised the administration to ensure that no one is forced to sleep under the open sky during the harsh winter months in Nagpur.
Giving a forward-looking directive, the court observed that temporary shelters must be set up not only for the Winter Session next year but also at other times when citizens in distress require them. This observation underscores the court's intent to seek a more permanent solution for the vulnerable populations in the city, beyond the context of political protests.
