Delhi HC Directs Authorities to Improve Night Shelter Facilities
Delhi High Court orders authorities to provide adequate facilities in night shelters.
Photo by Tim Oun
The Delhi High Court directed authorities in Delhi to provide adequate facilities in night shelters to protect people from the cold. The order was issued on 13 January 2026, after the court took suo motu cognizance of a report by The Hindu on January 11, titled 'Night shelters packed, patients, kin brave the cold outside hospitals'.
The report detailed the plight of patients and their relatives staying on the streets near AIIMS due to a lack of affordable accommodation. The court instructed city authorities to provide complete instructions regarding the night shelters.
Key Facts
Delhi HC: Provide adequate night shelters
Report: 'Night shelters packed'
AIIMS: Patients stay on streets
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Social Justice - Issues relating to poverty and hunger
GS Paper I: Urbanization, their problems and their remedies
Constitutional provisions related to Right to Life (Article 21)
Government schemes like DAY-NULM
Visual Insights
Night Shelter Locations in Delhi
Map showing the locations of night shelters in Delhi. This helps visualize the accessibility and distribution of these facilities for the homeless population.
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More Information
Background
The provision of night shelters in India has evolved significantly over time, reflecting changing social and economic realities. Historically, charitable organizations and religious institutions were the primary providers of shelter for the homeless. However, with increasing urbanization and poverty, the need for organized government intervention became apparent.
The Supreme Court of India has played a crucial role in mandating the provision of night shelters as a fundamental right under Article 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution. Landmark cases like Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985) established the right to livelihood, which is intrinsically linked to the right to shelter.
Subsequent directives from the Court have pushed state governments to establish and maintain adequate night shelter facilities, particularly during harsh weather conditions. The National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), now DAY-NULM, launched in 2013, further formalized the government's commitment to providing shelter and other essential services to the urban homeless population.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny on the quality and accessibility of night shelters in India. Several NGOs and civil society organizations have conducted audits and surveys, highlighting issues such as overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and lack of security. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the vulnerabilities of the homeless population, leading to renewed calls for improved shelter facilities and healthcare access.
The Union government has been promoting the use of technology, such as geo-tagging and online monitoring systems, to enhance the efficiency and transparency of night shelter operations. Future trends are likely to focus on integrating night shelters with other social welfare programs, such as skill development and employment assistance, to provide a more holistic approach to addressing homelessness. There is also a growing emphasis on involving local communities and private sector entities in the management and funding of night shelter initiatives.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM): 1. It aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities. 2. It provides for the establishment and maintenance of permanent night shelters for the homeless. 3. It is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
All three statements are correct. DAY-NULM focuses on urban poverty reduction, provides night shelters, and is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
2. Which of the following fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution is most directly related to the provision of night shelters for the homeless?
- A.Right to Equality (Article 14)
- B.Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression (Article 19)
- C.Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21)
- D.Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
Show Answer
Answer: C
The Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21) has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to shelter, making it the most directly related fundamental right.
3. Assertion (A): The Delhi High Court directed authorities to improve night shelter facilities. Reason (R): The Court took suo motu cognizance of a report highlighting the plight of patients and their relatives staying on the streets due to lack of affordable accommodation. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
The Delhi High Court's direction was a direct result of the report highlighting the need for better night shelter facilities. Thus, both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.
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