'No One Likes To Beg If Not For Poverty': Supreme Court Refuses To Ban Begging At Public Places

The Supreme Court today issued a notice to the Central and Delhi government on a petition seeking vaccination and rehabilitation of homeless and beggars amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

It said the court will not take an elitist view to ban begging.

The bench said that it cannot accept the prayer to stop begging.

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A bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah was hearing a PIL filed by one Kush Kalra seeking to restrain beggars and vagabonds or those who are homeless from begging at traffic junctions, in markets and public places to avoid the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, and to rehabilitate them.

The apex court observed that beggars cannot be wished away from public places and traffic junctions. ¡°No one would like to beg if not for poverty,¡± the SC bench said as it turned down a petition to restrain begging at traffic lights, markets and public places in light of the precautionary measures.

"We will not take an elitist view on this"

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The Supreme Court observed that people are generally forced to beg on the streets to meet bare minimum needs due to the absence of education and employment.

Justice Chandrachud said, "Why do people beg on streets is a reason for poverty. We will not take an elitist view on this. We cannot grant the prayer to restrain them from begging, this is a socio economic problem. we can have education for their children etc."