The Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 20, strongly slammed the decision taken by the State of Kerala to give relaxations in the COVID19 lockdown norms for three days on account of Bakrid (Eid-al-Adha)
The Court took a highly critical view of the State's decision to allow the opening of all shops in areas marked as Category D- where the COVID infection rates are critical with Test Positivity Rate above 15% - to function without any restrictions on July 19.
"The relaxation for one day to Category D areas was wholly uncalled for. In these circumstances, we direct the state of Kerala to give heed to Article 21 of the Constitution read with Article 141 of the Constitution and follow our directions given in the UP case. Also, pressure groups of all kinds, religious or otherwise, cannot in any interfere with this most fundamental right of all the citizens of India", the bench headed by Justice Nariman observed.
Since the relaxation was given for yesterday (July 19), the bench did not accept the applicant's prayer to quash the government order which allowed the same. However, the bench warned that if, as a result of this policy of the state, any untoward spread of COVID disease takes place, any member of the public can bring it to the notice of the Supreme Court.
"We may also indicate that if as a result of these policies, any untoward spread of COVID disease takes place, any member of public may bring this to the notice of this court, after which this court may take appropriate action", the bench said.
"To give in to pressure groups so that that the citizenry of India is then laid-bare to a nationwide pandemic discloses a sordid state of affairs", the bench added. The bench noted that in D category, strict restrictions similar to the weekend lockdown was otherwise in place.
"What is extremely alarming is the fact that in category D, where infection rates are above 15%, a full day of relaxation was granted, which was yesterday", the bench said. A category is places with TPR less than 5%, B with 5 % to 10% and C with 10 % to 15%.
Comments
COVID-19, PANDEMIC
The deadliest disease in modern history. the people of India are mostly not law abiding and they always violate the law and when caught red-handed then they use religion as the mask in their defence for violating the law. The people of India from each religion must learn to obey the law and order.
Ramesh Mishra
Victoria, BC, CANADA
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