What fundamental right did the Supreme Court interpret as including the right to shelter in the Olga Tellis case?

Right to Life

The correct answer is Option 1 - Right to Life

The Supreme Court interpreted Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, to include the right to shelter. This interpretation was crucial in its decision regarding the rights of slum-dwellers and pavement dwellers in Bombay.

The Supreme Court gave an important decision regarding the rights of slum-dwellers in Bombay in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by a social activist, Olga Tellis against Bombay Municipal Corporation in 1985. The petition claimed the right to live on pavements or in slums because there was no alternative accommodation available close to their place of work. If they were forced to move they would lose their livelihood as well. The Supreme Court said, “Article 21 of the Constitution which guaranteed the right to life included the right to livelihood. Therefore if pavement dwellers were to be evicted they should first be provided alternative accommodation under the right to shelter.”