Above: Blind candidates appearing in Maharashtra SSC Board Examination (file picture)/Photo: UNI

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (January 16) dealing with the demolition of a blind hostel in Janakpuri slammed the GNCTD, DDA for bypassing its previous orders.

The bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar told the counsel of GNCTD that they should move the blind hostel to the community center as per the availability of this permanent facility.

“Move now or we will pass the order against you. Please don’t abuse the sympathy we have for poor and marginalised. In the previous order we have ensured that blind people should not be left in open space,” the bench said.

The bench further assured the petitioners and amicus curaie Kamlesh Mishra: “We look at sinner, we look at empowering everyone. We will ensure every facility and please move to that community centre.”

The bench also warned the DDA counsel: “We will hear you when you move. We won’t allow anybody to use blind people to encroach on public land. We will provide assistance and please move. It is for them to relocate and please do it.”

The DDA counsel replied: “Out of 20 blind people only 8 blind people were found at the location. We not even found them. Please ask them to file the list of those who are studying and working.”

To which the bench replied: “We will hear after they (parties) complied with the order,” and posted the matter for next hearing to January 24, 2018.

—India Legal Bureau