Right to shelter is a fundamental right, says SC

• The Supreme Court on Wednesday urged a balance to be struck between railway infrastructure development at Haldwani, considered to be the doorway to the hills in Uttarakhand, and the fundamental right to shelter of nearly 50,000 people accused of illegally living on railway land.
• “They are also human beings,” a SC Bench observed.

Highlights:

• The court said while it cannot be ruthless about the fate of these families, its orders cannot also be misinterpreted as a note of encouragement for future encroachments.
• The hearing was based on an application filed by the Railways to modify a 2023 top court order staying a Uttarakhand High Court direction to evict these families within a week.
• It said a flooding Ghaula river has disrupted railway operations in the region. The railway needed more land urgently to lay new tracks.
• It asked the State Chief Secretary to meet with the Railway authorities and the Ministry of Urban Affairs to iron out a “fair and equitable” rehabilitation project for the families.

Prelims Takeaway:

• FR