Delhi High Court says begging not a crime since government can't provide food or jobs

The Delhi High Court bashed the government by saying, “ How can begging be an offense in a country where the government is unable to provide either food or employment” while observing 2 PILs filed to decriminalize begging. The Court further added that a person begs not by choice but out of & quot absolute necessity& quot . The court while explaining its stand to the government stated that you or we will not beg even if we are offered a crore of rupees. It is out of complete necessity that a person begs for food. How is begging an offense in a country where the government is not able to provide either food or employment. The government had earlier informed the court that begging should not be a crime if it was done because of poverty. It had further stated that begging will not be decriminalized. The 2 PILs have been filed by Karnika Sawhney and Harsh Mandar which requested simple human and fundamental rights for beggars in Delhi besides decriminalizing begging. The PILs also requested a day to day amenities such as food and medical facilities at all beggars' homes in the capital. The state and central governments had in 2016 informed the court that the Ministry of Social Justice had outlined a bill to decriminalize begging and rehabilitate beggars and homeless people. However, eventually, the proposal to amend the legislation was abandoned. The current law awards a penalty of more than 3 years in jail in case of first conviction for begging and the person can be ordered to be detained for 10 years in the following conviction.