The Delhi High Court on Tuesday has directed the Delhi Govt & the Centre that they shall take all necessary steps for ensuring real time updation of the data on COVID-19, without too much of a time lag, so that information being received by the public is current.
A bench headed by the Chief Justice DN Patel & Justice Prateek Jalan passed the direction upon hearing Amicus Curiae as well as the counsel for the intervener. “We also direct the Central Government as well as the Government of NCT of Delhi that testing shall be carried out by the Central Government as well as the State run hospitals, as far as possible, subject to availability of testing kits with priority be given to the persons approaching for test on the recommendation of a doctor,” directed the Court.
The Court said, “if any committee is appointed by Government of NCT of Delhi, the said Committee will also take note of this fact that there shall be real time updation of the data on the mobile application developed by the Government of NCT of Delhi”.
The Court was informed by Amicus Curiae that the mobile application namely “Delhi Corona Mobile Application”, developed by Delhi Government, is not being updated regularly. He also submitted that there is a mismatch of the facts and data released by the Government/Private hospitals in Delhi especially with regard to the availability of the beds and ventilators. “Some of the hospitals run by Central Government/ Delhi Government are not updating the data as well as the helpline numbers provided by the Delhi Govt not working properly”, said Amicus Curiae.
Senior counsel appearing for the intervener submitted before the court that suitable direction may be given to the Central Government and Government of NCT of Delhi to carry out tests of all those having apprehension of being exposed to Corona Virus.
The Court was hearing the Suo Motu Petition where it had taken cognizance of video of a Delhi resident who was searching for a hospital for his COVID-19 positive mother and running from pillar to post to get her admitted in the hospital.
The matter would now be heard on June 25.
Read the order here;
66534-2020-India Legal Bureau