Plea For Electricity Connection- Delhi HC Expresses Hope That Center Will Look Into Plight Of Hindu Migrants From Pak Sympathetically

On a plea raising the issue of Hindu migrants from Pakistan residing without electricity, the Delhi High Court has observed that it hopes that the Government of India will look into the plight of the migrants sympathetically.

"This Court hopes and trusts that the Government of India will look into the plight of the migrants sympathetically, and shall file a proper affidavit positively within two weeks.", the Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad observed.

In this case, a Public Interest Litigation was filed on behalf of the Hindu Migrants who came from Pakistan to India, currently staying in Adarsh Nagar near Majlis Park Metro Station.

The petition stated that they are poor people who do not have a permanent place of shelter and are living in a cluster of Jhuggis. The PIL further states that the authorities are demanding proof of ownership of land.

Senior Advocate Sanjeev Poddar appearing on behalf of the Petitioner submitted that the migrants had approached the distribution company for supply of electricity. It was submitted that the only requirement that the migrants are not able to meet is NOC from the land owning agency.

Additional Standing Counsel, Sameer Vashisht, Advocate Manish Kr. Srivastava, Advocate Sarthak Chiller and Standing Counsel Anand Prakash appeared for Respondents. Advocate Anurag Ahluwalia appeared for the Union of India.

Counsel appearing for Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) stated that NOC is required as certain poles will have to be erected for providing proper electricity.

It was submitted that the land in question over which the Jhuggis have been established belongs to Government of India/ Defence Department/ DMRC, and in absence of a NOC from the land owning agency, the distribution company is not in a position to provide Electricity Connection.

The Court directed the Union of India to file a reply within two weeks as to why NOC has not been issued to the migrants.

"Learned Counsel appearing for Union of India is granted two weeks' time to file an affidavit as to why NOC has not been issued to the migrants from Pakistan who are residing without electricity for the last five to six years. It has also been stated that there are small children, women in area, and in absence of electricity it has become very difficult for these families to survive, and they are living in extremely harsh conditions. Resultantly, Union of India is directed to file a reply positively within two weeks in the matter.", the Court held.

Cause Title- Hariom v. The State (NCT of Delhi) & Ors.

Click here to read/download the Order