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Journalism of Courage
The Delhi government today came under attack from the high court for forcing beggars to leave the capital,comparing it to the MNS campaign against migrants.
A bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S Muralidhar took strong exception to such action saying poverty is not a crime and beggars cannot be forced to leave the capital.
It is a crime against humanity. What is the difference between it and what MNS is doing in Maharashtra? the bench asked while referring to Raj Thackeray-led partys attacks on outsiders,mainly migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar,in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.
Its strange that a criminal can reside in the city but if someone is asking for alms then he is thrown away, the court said.
It also sought the assistance of Attorney General to deal with decriminalisation of begging as under Bombay Prevention Of Begging Act it is a criminal offence punishable up to three years of imprisonment if arrested for the first time and he/she can face to ten year jail term for repetition of the offence.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by social activist Harsh Mandher challenging the constitutional validity of the Act.
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