Today, Delhi High Court asked the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) to consider contributing to the proposed 3,000-bed night shelter that AIIMS plans to build for families of patients coming to the hospital for treatment.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia clarified that it was not issuing any directions, but expressed hope that lawyers would support the project, as they have done for many other causes in the past.

"Activate members of DHCBA, create some kind of fund and donate it to them [AIIMs]. We don’t need to issue any directions on this. This is our desire," the Court said.

DHCBA President N. Hariharan assured the court that he would ensure the contribution is made. Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar and Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, who were present during the hearing, said they would be the first to donate to the cause.

Hariharan also said he would make a personal contribution, while the Arun Jaitley Foundation announced that it would donate to AIIMS for the project.

The court then said it would monitor the development of the night shelter and added that AIIMS could approach it immediately if any difficulties arise.

The Bench made these observations while hearing a suo motu PIL of people sleeping in the open due to a lack of night shelters. Many of them had come to Delhi for their family members’ medical treatment and had no place to stay.

On January 14, the High Court had issued directions for immediate relief, including asking the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to convert subways near hospitals into shelters.

The court was informed on Friday that steps have now been taken and arrangements made to provide beds and shelter to those who were earlier sleeping in the open.

Appearing for AIIMS, advocate Satya Ranjan Swain told the court that land has been offered to DUSIB for setting up around 80 shelters. He added that shelter capacity has been increased across three facilities with 949 beds, and night shuttle services have been extended to improve access.

Swain also informed the court that AIIMS is planning a 3,000-bed Vishram Sadan at Ansari Nagar to better accommodate patients’ families.

Taking note of these submissions, the court appreciated the efforts of all stakeholders and directed all Delhi agencies to extend full cooperation to the AIIMS administration.

"We have a feeling that in the last two days, the situation has improved. However, the nodal officers of the agencies and other higher officers are expected to be on a constant vigil. While we appreciate the efforts made by the agencies, we repose our trust and faith that whatever is needed to be done to attend to these difficulties shall be taken care of by the authorities," the Court added.