On Wednesday, the Apex Court held that affixing posters by State Govt authorities outside the homes of COVID-19 patients, divulging their identities, is not required unless directed by a competent authority.

A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, while disapproving the action, said there is no reason for the Govt authorities to affix home isolation posters outside COVID-19 patients' homes.

The bench directed that posters can be affixed by States & Union Territories only when competent authorities under the Disaster Management Act issue specific directions for it.

The court was hearing a public suit filed by advocate Kush Kalra challenging the affixing of posters outside the homes of COVID-19 patients as a mark of identification, claiming it discloses the identity of patients in a gross violation of their fundamental right to privacy.

Earlier, the Central government had said that there are no guidelines from the Centre to affix posters outside COVID-19 patients' homes. Justice MR Shah, during the hearing, had said that hard reality is different & these people are being treated as untouchables.

The plea had sought directions to ensure such disclosure of names does not take place & quashing of the executive orders of the States & Union Territories that allow affixing of posters outside homes of the COVID-19 patients.

It said that the act adds to the stigma attached to the disease & the revelation of names of patients also fail the tests of proportionality & reasonableness.

The Constitution does not & can never permit discrimination on the ground of illness & physical suffering," the petition had said, adding that circulation of names of such persons publicly & subjecting them to the scrutiny of the public goes against the ethos of living with dignity.

It added that "Affixing posters outside their homes lead to their illness is being widely publicised amongst other residents of a colony or apartment complex as well as household staff of neighbours, vendors, passers-by & other unrelated persons".

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