The Delhi High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar was shown many more pictures of people who would be rendered homeless due to the demolition of a night shelter in Nizamuddin, Delhi. The court is deliberating on their rehabilitation.

Last week, the court directed the Delhi government to ensure that adequate shelter is provided to these people. The ACJ had noted in the order that no resident of Delhi should remain shelterless.

On May 26, the respondents said: “We have received the copy of the view of the graveyards in the park. There are two dargahs and there are two different properties.”

The bench addressed the Waqf board members present and said: “Glad you came to the court, Waqf board. We don’t want the people to come and encroach on the graves. We will restore the park. DDA will help you to relocate to new places.

The Waqf board representatives said: “The Panchwiran graveyard is reaching the point of disappearance.”

The bench observed: “You need an area so that the people could live. You can’t convert the places into something you can encroach upon. You want parks, you need place to live, a place to worship.”

Matter adjourned to May 29.

—India Legal Bureau