The apex court on Friday (May 11) directed SDM of Kalindi Kunj and nearby areas where the Rohingya refugees are currently settled to look into the problems which are being faced by refugees in terms of basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets etc. The court also directed Rohingya parents or guardians to approach SDM for any grievance.

The court directions came after Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta submitted the status report as per the last order. Mehta said that the report only dealt with the living conditions of Rohingya refugees in Kalindi Kunj and cited that basic medical care was being provided and that the refugees were not being mistreated.

The bench comprising of CJI Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud was hearing a PIL concerning condition of Rohingya refugees in India.

Mehta further said that the government schools had separate toilets for girls.

To which the petitioner’s counsel objected and said: “The condition of these toilets is really bad.”

Mehta countered it by reading out the status report which said “no open defecation found”.

The petitioner’s counsel cited very little availability of water. As far as facilities are concerned, most of them are being denied due to lack of aadhaar, the counsel said.

Another senior counsel said that many rohingya refugees have been arrested due to the possession of aadhaar.

The bench said that it will look into other issues on the next date of hearing.

The matter was listed for next hearing to August 23, 2018.

—India Legal Bureau