The Supreme Court today has refused to entertain a petition seeking directions to issue guidelines for proper handling and disposal of used face masks which are being discharged as household waste on the basis that NGT already dealing with the similar matter.
A three-judge bench comprising Justice N.V. Ramana, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice B.R. Gavai was hearing a petition filed by a law student, Ankit Gupta seeking directions for proper handling and disposal of masks and other related Covid-19 waste that is being disposed of as household waste.
Learned Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that as far as Prayer A is concerned, a circular dated 27.04.2020 has already been issued by the Ministry of Health which deals with the relief sought by the petitioner-in-person.
However, the Court observed as far as Prayer B is concerned, the issue is already being taken care of by the National Green Tribunal and stated that, “We will leave it to the NGT to consider how the matter should be publicized.”
The petition stated that the absence of awareness regarding disposal of face masks by public and any guideline/ advisory by the Health Ministry for the handling of such bio-hazardous waste is what made the petitioner to file this PIL.
The court while disposing of the matter stated that we leave the matter for NGT’s consideration, and also stated that you cannot bring everything to the Supreme Court.
-India Legal Bureau