Police pulled up for 'insensitivity' to rickshaw pullers

New Delhi, Dec 8 : The Delhi High Court Tuesday pulled up Delhi Police for being "insensitive" towards rickshaw pullers in a bid to make the capital a "world class city".

"Poor people cannot live in a world class city? How can a public authority talk like this about the poor," asked the three judge bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah, Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice Ravinder Bhatt of police counsel Vikas Pahwa.

"It is the most insensitive affidavit we have ever seen. It shows your mentality towards the poor," the bench said, advising police to withdraw the affidavit and adjourned the hearing to Wednesday.

The police affidavit read: "Allowing cycle rickshaws to ply on the arterial roads would certainly not contribute to this vision. Instead, it will make Delhi like any other mofussil town. Rickshaw pullers are a rule by themselves."

"Cycle rickshaws not only add to the congestion on the roads and footpaths but also occupy space as the rickshaw puller is too poor to own a residence or dwelling and encouraging them in developing unauthorised colonies is giving rise to social problems in the city," the affidavit said.

"Delhi Police should not cross their limit. They should not indulge in planning a part of the city," the bench remarked.

The court was hearing a petition by NGO Manushi that the court's order and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) policy of banning rickshaws from the main arterial roads and Chandni Chowk area in Old Delhi was arbitrary and violated the fundamental rights of rickshaw pullers.

The court had earlier asked the MCD to make an action plan, saying: "You (MCD) should consider the environmental angle too when you talk of banning rickshaws. In view of the increasing pollution level in the capital, rickshaws can prove to be a good option."