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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4084
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17TH MARCH, 2026/ PHALGUNA 26, 1947 (SAKA)
BEGGING IN DELHI
4084. SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of preventive steps taken by Police agencies to prevent
begging in Delhi especially in and around the Traffic Signals;
(b) whether Delhi Police received any complaints of forceful begging by
Transgenders in Delhi, if so, the details thereof and cases registered from
2019 to till date; and
(c) the total number of persons arrested for begging in Delhi under Delhi
Prevention of Begging Rules, 1960 from 2014 to till date?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a): Delhi Police has stated that they undertake various
preventive steps to prevent begging in Delhi specially in and
around Traffic Signals, inter-alia, as under: -
i. Delhi Police conducts special drives on regular intervals to
remove beggars from traffic signals and junctions;
ii. Delhi Police deploys Police Personnel during the peak hours
at vulnerable red-lights to deter begging activities;-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 4084 FOR 17.03.2026
iii. Delhi Police coordinates with the Social Welfare Department
of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi to
shift beggars and homeless persons to shelter homes; and
iv. Delhi Police also monitors through CCTV surveillance at
major intersections to detect and prevent nuisance, caused
by beggars.
(b): A total of three complaints of forceful begging by
transgenders were received by Delhi Police from 2019 to till date.
Out of these, two complaints were found non-actionable and one
complaint was converted into First Information Report (FIR) in
which chargesheet has been filed in the court.
(c): From 2014 to till date, no person has been arrested for
begging under the Delhi Prevention of Begging Rules, 1960. It is
also stated that the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has decriminalized
-3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 4084 FOR 17.03.2026begging in the National Capital in August, 2018, in cases titled as
‘Harsh Mander & Anr. Vs. Union of India & Ors.’ and ‘Karnika
Sawhney Vs. Union of India & Ors.’. The Hon’ble Court has also
held that criminalizing begging violates Fundamental Rights under
Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
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