“This is a country which is plural, it is inclusive”, says Delhi High Court while issuing a slew of directions for riots victims

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE Delhi High Court today issued a slew of directions after accepting the compliance report of its midnight order for safe passage to injured victims of the riots to government hospitals for better medical care.

A two-judge bench comprising Justices S Muralidhar and Anup J Bhambhani directed:

• the Government of Delhi to set up shelters with all requisite facilities for those who are displaced in the riots
• the Delhi Police to make formal applications to the District Judges for the appointment of night Magistrates in each district for the next two weeks
• the Delhi Police to set-up helpline numbers and to run the District Legal Services Authorities 24*7
• the Delhi Police to undertake requisition of adequate number of ambulances, fire tenders and Civil Defence Volunteers
• the Director, Institute of Human Life Sciences to cater to those who are suffering from trauma

The court also appointed Advocate Zubeda Begum as amicus curiae and directed her to approach the Principal Secretary, Home Department of the Government of Delhi to requisite 4-5 staff for assistance in the matter. 

The midnight order

On the intervening night of February 25-26, a special sitting was convened at the residence of Delhi High court judge, Justice S Muralidhar, on a plea filed for direction to police to provide safe passage to injured victims of the riots from Al-Hind hospital to other government hospitals. 

After hearing the parties, a two-judge bench comprising Justices S Muralidhar and Anup Bhambhani directed the Delhi Police to ensure safe passage to inured victims and provide emergency treatment at government hospitals. 

In the midnight order, the court said that "The Court at this stage is primarily concerned with ensuring the safety of the lives of the injured and provide immediate medical attention…."

"The Court accordingly directs Delhi Police to ensure such safe passage by deploying all the resources at its command and on the strength of this order and to ensure that apart from the safe passage, the injured victims receive immediate emergency treatment, if not at the GTB Hospital, then at the LNJP Hospital or Maulana Azad or any other government hospital", the Court added.

The siting was convened under the orders of Justice G S Sistani.

Also read: Delhi HC expresses displeasure at the inaction of Delhi Police in lodging FIRs against inflammatory speeches made by BJP leaders

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