The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a notice in the petition filed seeking direction for all the foreign nationals tested negative on COVID-19 to be released from quarantine centers and shifted to alternate accommodation following social distancing.
A division bench presided by Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar of Delhi High Court while conducting hearing through video conferencing heard a petition filed by Mohammad Jamal and 19 other foreigners quarantined at the center through Senior Advocate Rebecca M. John and Advocate Ashima Mandla.
The petition sought the release of approximately 947 foreign nationals, who allegedly participated in a religious event organized at Nizamuddin Markaz and have been quarantined since 30th March without being tested positive for COVID-19.
The status report of the Delhi Police states that the foreign nationals concerned have not been detained and are not in custody or arrested. The Counsel appearing for the Delhi Police submitted before the court that the charge sheets against all the foreign nationals concerned will be filed within this week. He further submitted that they have been undertaken for investigation after duly serving them notice under Section 41(a) of the Criminal Procedural Code.
The petitioner further submitted that the cost of alternate accommodation will be borne by the community itself. They further submitted that they will submit a list of places for alternate accommodation today.
Whereas, the Court while listing the matter for further hearing of 28th May, directed the respondents to inspect the list of alternate accommodation by tomorrow and file a status report before the Court.
-India Legal Bureau