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...
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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