New Delhi, July 29 - The Delhi High Court Wednesday sought a reply from the central and city governments on a plea seeking to decriminalise begging in the capital.

A division bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Manmohan sought the response from the ministries of law and justice, social welfare and the Delhi government, and slated the next hearing for Sep 16.

The court issued a notice to the attorney general to assist the court on the public interest petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act.

The PIL was filed by noted social activist Harsh Mander who has argued that poverty can never be a crime.

'If a person is destitute and begs for living, such a person cannot be treated as a criminal. He cannot be arrested or sentenced,' the petitioner said while referring to the plight of a destitute who was jailed and sentenced for begging.