Major achievement for VVWA
Over the past several years B-Block was facing a serious problem because of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) office, being located there.
Several refugees/asylum seekers use to gather outside the UNHCR office, pitching tents and staying there. They used to cook in the open and defecate in the adjoining parks. This created a serious law and order problem because of which, residents of B-Block felt unsafe. Matters came to a head during the Afghans crisis that took place in 2021 and over 600/700 refugees came and chocked the parks and streets of B-Block.
VVWA filed a Writ Petition in the Delhi High Court seeking a solution to the problem. An interim relief order was issued by the Hon’ble High Court, in so far as the Afghan refugees were concerned. However, VVWA continued to persist with their Writ Petition and pressed for a permanent solution. Finally in a hearing conducted on 18 September 2023, the Hon’ble Justice Subramonium Prasad delivered his final order. The two relevant paragraphs 9 and 11 are re-produced below, which are self-explanatory.
Paragraph 9: The Delhi Police is directed to take steps in accordance with law as and when the persons who claim to be the refugees/asylum seekers occupy the places in and around the building of United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) to ensure that the people residing in the locality do not suffer inconvenience.
Paragraph 11: Liberty is granted to the Petitioner to approach this Court again in case need so arises in future.
In an earlier affidavit the Ministry of Home Affairs had submitted that all refugees should be removed from the residential areas and be asked to sit in the Jantar Mantar protest area. This judgment will bring a lot of relief to the residents of B-Block. It is a major achievement for the VVWA for pursuing and securing the above order.
