New Delhi: The Delhi Police had issued a challan of Rs 500 to a lawyer who was not wearing a mask while driving back home alone in his car. The lawyer has now moved the Delhi High Court, wanting this challan to be quashed and asking for damages of Rs 10 lakh for mental harassment.
Advocate Saurabh Sharma is arguing in court, through his lawyer K.C. Mittal, that there is a health ministry notification which states that wearing a mask while driving alone is not necessary. Justice Navin Chawla of the Delhi High Court issued notices to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Delhi state government, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority and the Delhi Police.
Farman Ali Magray, who is the counsel for the health ministry agreed that a notification had indeed been issued with this information.
However, the counsel appearing for the DDMA contended that the guidelines issued in April and June make it necessary to wear a mask in public places. The counsel further stated the Supreme Court has considered a private vehicle as a public place in its judgments.
The bench will hear the matter again on November 18.
-India Legal Bureau