Delhi: Inmates of de-addiction centres sexually assaulted, suggests report
A report submitted by Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) to Delhi's High Court highlighted that many inmates across various de-addiction centres in the national capital were sexually and physically assaulted. Over 750 people were kept involuntarily at these centres. In May, HC directed for a survey to check if people were held against their will in the pretext of rehabilitation.
The findings of the survey are appalling
The bench comprising judges S Muralidhar and IS Mehta expressed shock at findings and said basic human dignity rights have been violated. Advocate Sumer Kumar Sethi inspected 124 centres for the report and found infrastructure wasn't adequate in many. In one of the centres, five patients were locked up, involuntarily, and physically tortured. The ventilation and toilet facilities were also troublesome, the report found.
The uninhabitable conditions show no one is serious about rehabilitation
In many of these centres, inmates are forced to sleep on mattresses instead of beds. In others, inmates were forced to do menial tasks and if they failed their rations were cut. Many centres failed miserably on the hygiene scale.
After findings, court expressed need for stern action
The court observed that despite the show cause notices issued to these establishments, there has been no progress. But the bench made it clear that action cannot be delayed. He asked Sethi's report to be sent to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rajesh Deol by June 4, not a day later. The court fixed July 12 as next date to review the situation.
High Court directs police to take action against these centres
The HC directed Delhi Police to visit centres where incidents of sexual assault and inhumane treatment were reported, and lawfully proceed. Delhi police have also been directed to get in touch with government facilities where the inmates, who have been detained, can be treated. Earlier, HC observed the deficiency in government centres led to a surge in private ones, that didn't follow necessary regulations.
