Won’t take an elitist view and ban begging : Supreme Court

It is disgraceful that even after 74 years of Independence, India could not eradicate poverty. When there are billions of cases pending in the Court, Courts should not have to address social issues. The Government must think about it seriously.

New Delhi – The Supreme Court heard a petition seeking restraint from beggars begging at traffic signals and crowded market areas to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in India. While rejecting the PIL, the Court clarified that it cannot stop the beggars from begging.

Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud and Justice M.R. Shah’s Bench refused to consider the petition filed on the issue. Justice Chandrachud said that people beg on the streets out of poverty. It is a socio-economic problem. We can arrange education facilities for their children. On the petitioner’s demand, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre and the Delhi Government for rehabilitation and vaccination of beggars.