PIL puts blame squarely on Karnataka government

A city-based advocate has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the state high court on the beggars’ issue and sought an independent enquiry into the conditions at the rehabilitation centre.

Advocate AV Amaranath filed the PIL on Saturday and the petition is likely to come up for hearing on Monday. The petitioner sought directions to the state government to take immediate steps to provide medical facilities for the inmates.

“Bangaloreans are shocked by this incident. The preliminary enquiry indicates an epidemic in the Colony which falls under the jurisdiction of the social welfare department. The state has ignored the inhuman conditions in which 2,500 people lived. The epidemic is spreading fast and hundreds of inmates are running for their lives,” the petition stated.

It also stated that “the state government was responsible for this incident. The state is collecting crores as tax for the rehabilitation of beggars, but at the same time these funds are not utilised properly.”

The petitioner also stated that the land belonging to the Beggars’ Colony is coveted by real estate developers. A PIL regarding encroachment is pending with the high court.