The Delhi High Court on Thursday stayed the eviction of persons affected with leprosy, who are bona fide residents of Tahirpur Leprosy Complex in East Delhi, following the blanket notices served on about 500 families by the Delhi government’s Social Welfare Department last month.
The petition on behalf of the residents was filed under the banner of Kasturbagram Kushth Ashram Society and Shanti Kushth Samiti, contending that they were bona fide residents and had submitted medical papers in support of their status as leprosy affected persons.
Tahirpur Leprosy Complex is one of the largest homes in Asia for the people affected with leprosy.
The petitioners were issued with eviction notices, directing them to vacate the premises by Thursday without giving them an opportunity to explain to the authorities that they were not unauthorised users of the complex or were involved in commercial activities.
Delhi government’s standing counsel informed the court that the demolition orders had been issued on the High Court's direction following illegal construction in the area.
The Bench of Justice Ashutosh Kumar took note of the submission that coercive action had been taken at the instance of the Social Welfare Department and East Delhi Municipal Corporation and some of the houses and establishments had been sealed. They included residential houses and shops dealing with articles of daily need.
