HC: State must frame time schedules for shops to minimize gathering of people at public places [Read Order]

The Allahabad High Court has allowed an application filed by the State Secretary and granted a time period of two days to UP Government to take valuable steps for preventing the spread of coronavirus and present a complete road map before the court to minimize the public movements.

“We hope and trust that valuable steps would be taken by the next date fixed and a complete road map would be there by which public movement could be minimized.” The Court said.

The Division Bench comprising of Justice Siddhartha Varma and Ajit Kumar has directed the state to frame proper time schedule for shops except medical shops to minimize the gathering of people in public places and public transports. The court has expressed that,

“We expect stricter time schedules for shops would be there and also every effort would be made to minimize conglomeration of people in public places and in public vehicles. Here it may be mentioned that even though timings of various commercial activities may be substantially reduced but medical shops and dispensaries might be an exception.”

The above order was passed by the Court while hearing the matter related to conditions of Quarantine centers and other Covid-19 related issues in the state.

On the last hearing the court has directed the state authorities to take stringent actions to curb the spread of Covid- 19 and also appointed two advocates to inspect that whether the order of the Court is implemented or not and submit a joint report of the same to the court.

Referring the order of the Court passed in previous hearing the court said,

“The Sri Ram Kaushik, Advocate, has filed a rejoinder affidavit in reply to the counter affidavit which was submitted in the Contempt Petition filed by the applicant. The photographs definitely show that, prima facie, no orders of this Court for maintaining social distancing and for enforcing people to wear masks were being implemented. The applicant has attached these photographs very bonafidely and, therefore, it would be in the interest of justice that by the next date fixed, the State may look into these photographs and take action”

Order on letter petition:

A latter petition has been filed before the court by the petitioner Sri Sunil Choudhary. He has submitted before the court that the dead body of a person who had died of COVID-19 virus was not being handed over to his relatives because the hospital was demanding Rs. 14.50 Lacs even though they had already paid Rs. 11 lacs to the hospital.

The court has directed to the District Magistrate, Kanpur Nagar, to get an enquiry done into this matter and place the report before the court on the next date of hearing. The Court has listed the matter on 31^st August for next hearing.

Case Details:

Case- PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. - 574 of 2020

Petitioner- In-Re Inhuman Condition at Quarantine Centers and for Providing Better

Treatment to Corona Positive

Respondent- State of Uttar Pradesh

Counsel for Petitioner - Gaurav Kumar Gaur, Jitendra Kumar, Rishu Mishra, S.P.S. Chauhan

Counsel for Respondent- C.S.C., Purnendu Kumar Singh

Quorum: Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Ajit Kumar

Read Order@LatestLaws.com