With the pandemic continuing to surge and people walking around unmasked, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has decided to file FIRs under Section 188 of the IPC. Will this curb such callous behaviour?
By Dr KK Aggarwal
In an attempt to slow down the spread of Covid-19, the health ministry has passed a notification mandating the wearing of masks in public areas, with citizens facing a possible fine if caught without one. And this is precisely what happened on October 14, 2020, when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) filed its first FIR against a person for not wearing a mask. This took place in Chembur under Section 188 of the IPC, whereby action can be taken against those who violate lockdown rules under the Epidemic Diseases Act. Section 188 prescribes punishment for disobedience of the lawful orders of a public servant, especially when the disobedience results in obstruction, annoyance or injury to any person lawfully employed.
The government can also invoke Section 270, IPC, which deals with a “malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life”. It states: “Whoever malignantly does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”
The BMC has intensified its campaign in this regard, especially in view of the fact that Mumbai is opening up and restrictions on several activities are being eased. Officials stated that wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing are vital to curb the virus spread and hence, they have been strictly enforcing it. Each of the 24 wards across the city has been given a target to penalise at least 1,000 people flouting the mask rule daily.
On October 14, M-West (Chembur) ward officials along with four police staff penalised eight offenders on NG Acharya Marg (Chembur Govandi Road). One of them was a biker with a helmet, but without a mask. His pillion rider was wearing a mask, though. When asked to cough up the penalty, Rahul Wankhede, the rider, refused to do so, saying his coronavirus test report was negative. When he remained defiant despite BMC officials trying to convince him for about half an hour, he was hauled to Govandi police station and booked for not wearing a mask.
On October 13, 2020, BMC Chief IS Chahal had held a virtual meeting with senior civic and police officials and told them to act against rule-breakers. The commissioner also asked joggers to wear masks, but did not specify details.
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Medical experts say masks are not advisable while running distances of 5 km or more. The BMC has penalised over 40,000 people for not wearing masks and collected over Rs 1 crore in fines during the pandemic.
That’s not all. Shockingly, even as many nightclubs across India opened up, many guests could be seen without masks. An India Today TV expose revealed that the virus could now spread through these bars and pubs and showed that they were being flouted with impunity in Delhi and Goa. In fact, Dr Anthony Fauci, the US’ top virus expert, had warned last month: “Bars are a really important place of the spreading of infection. There’s no doubt about that. And that becomes particularly important if you happen in an area with a high degree of community spread. So those are the things that are crystal clear.”
But this risky behaviour was evident as the nightlife opened up and authorities issued standard operating procedures which prohibited serving standing customers and packing the facilities more than the 50 percent of their approved seating capacity. The expose of India Today TV found that in At Barsoom and The Record Room in Hauz Khas Village and at MNKY Houz in Nehru Place crowds were in close proximity, without facial protection. One of the guests even said: “Do you think there’s corona? Somebody in my relation contracted it and recovered. It’s not that scary. It’s not what it really is. It’s just been exaggerated.”
Of course, bars are also in a tough situation as they were closed for so long. One owner said: “Bars are not able to meet daily expenses. We are no different. From our side, we have been doing our best to follow the rules set by the government under the Covid time. We have put a foosball table on the dance floor to avoid people standing there.”
The same situation was also found in Goa, a tourist’s haven. Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on TV: “I can assure you we have already started acting. I have spoken to the CM, the home department will step in… We are going to act aggressively against these nightclubs. If required we are going to suspend their excise licences. The FDA also raided these places. AAP MLA Raghav Chadha too said: “We will definitely act. We took a calculated decision to resume socio-economic activity. We tried to strike a fine balance protecting lives and livelihood. If at all there are people violating these SoPs, the strictest possible action will be taken.”
If people take their health so lightly, Covid-19 will be here to stay.
—The writer is President, Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania, and former National President, IMA
Global Countdown
- Asian nations such as China, Taiwan or Hong Kong too have made wearing masks compulsory.
- Venezuela was among the first countries to impose the mandatory use of masks in public in March 2020.
- Vietnam made masks compulsory on March 16.
- On March 18, the Czech Republic became the first European country to make wearing masks mandatory in supermarkets, pharmacies and public transport.
- On April 4, Colombia made wearing masks compulsory on the public transport system and public areas such as stores and banks.
- The UAE also announced that masks should be worn at all times when outside the home.
- Cuba followed suit on April 6, and a day later, Ecuador decided to make the use of masks obligatory in public spaces.
- Morocco made wearing masks mandatory on April 7, with the government warning that anyone who failed to comply faced a prison sentence of up to three months and a fine of 1,300 dirhams ($130).
- On April 12, Israel made it mandatory for its citizens to wear masks in public.
- On May 10, France made the use of masks in public mandatory as the country was set to emerge from lockdown the following day.
- Spain made it compulsory on May 20 for everyone older than six to wear masks in indoor public spaces and outdoor ones when it is impossible to keep more than two metres apart.
- On May 30, Pakistan made it compulsory for people to wear masks in crowded public spaces including mosques, bazaars, shopping malls and public transport.
- In a decree signed on August 16, Italy’s government said that from 6 pm to 6 am, the wearing of masks would be mandatory in public areas where groups could form.
By Dr KK Aggarwal
Lead Picture: UNI