The Delhi High Court on Thursday disposed of a plea seeking directions for taking proper and adequate measures to combat Novel Coronavirus, while observing that there is “no reason to further monitor this case”.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing a plea filed by a lawyer during the initial period of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic across the nation.
“Looking to the steps which have already been taken by the state government as well as the Central Government for controlling the Covid-19 pandemic situation prevailing in the city of Delhi, and also looking to the fact that enough and adequate medical facilities have been provided by the Respondents, including free vaccines, we see no reason to further monitor this case,” observed the Bench.
Central Government Standing Counsel Anil Soni submitted that the instant petition has become infructuous, as it was filed in early 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic had just hit the nation. Subsequently, much care has been taken in controlling the pandemic, both by the Centre as well as the state government in the form of providing adequate medical facilities and launching vaccination programmes.
The Bench disposed of the instant petition, reserving liberty with the petitioner to approach the appropriate forum, if need arises in the future.
Filed in March 2020 by Advocate Triveni Potekar through Advocate Nivedita Sharma, the plea sought adoption of proper preventive measures to combat the menace of the deadly virus and setting up a monitoring committee under the supervision of experts in the field. In addition, the petition sought directions for providing important and relevant information in respect of access to and availability of medical facilities for testing and treatment of Covid-19.
Further, the plea prayed for a review and assessment of available medical facilities and infrastructure in a scientific manner, in line with international standards.
It said India is under grave potential risk of being mass infected with the deadly virus for lack of sufficient screening, testing and isolation facilities, and also on account of lack of medical infrastructure and shortage of trained healthcare workers required to combat the situation, especially in rural areas.