Akanksha Singh-
Published on: September 3, 2021, at 17:59 IST
The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Delhi Government and the Delhi Police to “suitably reduce” the number of Afghan nationals protesting outside the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Vasant Vihar, saying they should follow the COVID-19 protocol.
Justice Rekha Palli, while stating that the law is same for everyone, has given more time to the Centre to find a solution and said that if 500 people stay there for so long, it can turn into a “Covid super spreader“.
The petitioner Vasant Vihar Welfare Association has approached to the court and submitted that “Foreign nationals have been gathering outside the UNHCR office since August 15 and blocking roads, alleys and parks, making it difficult for residents of B block to move. The resident are facing certain kind of inconvince because of the above peoples.”
The Central Government Standing Counsel Ajay Digpaul said that the issue should be looked at from a humanitarian point of view and urged the Court to give some more time to take a holistic approach to resolve the issue.
It was observed by the Court that the Delhi Govt and the Police had not denied that the congregation is under the orders of DDMA (Delhi Disaster Management Authority) and it appears that the petitioners are justified in insisting that these protesters be shifted to a designated place immediately.
Further Delhi Police Counsel has submitted that as per the COVID guidelines and terms and direction of the SC the peaceful protests can only happen at Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Ground and Boat Club .
It was also submitted to the Court that “The area has turned into a protest site, where people of all age groups, including children, are gathering and said that keeping the children in a situation where there is a third outbreak of COVID-19 especially ”
The petition, filed through Advocates Shahrukh Ejaz and Nilotpal Bansal, also sought a direction to the Ministry of External Affairs to formulate appropriate policy to ensure that such nuisance to local residents does not occur in the vicinity of foreign missions/diploma.
Further the Court granted time and listed the matter for next hearing on September 7, saying if the matter is not resolved by then, it will be constrained to pass an order.
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