Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while submitting before the Supreme Court Special Bench, led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, today admitted that there may have been a ‘systematic failure’ on part of the Central government in not being able to distribute oxygen properly to hospitals in Delhi.
The SG also mentioned that there might have been a similar systematic failure on part of the Delhi government, but this was the first time that a top government official admitted to a ‘systematic failure’ on part of the Union government, that too before the Supreme Court.
The SG was also not clear as to the calculation regarding the actual requirement of oxygen in Delhi and said: “Let there be an audit by an independent team, maybe Dr Guleria (Dr Randeep Guleria, a famous Pulmonologist and the current Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) or (any) other, to find out what is the required quantity.”
Earlier in the day, Chief Justice N.V. Ramana had agreed to list before the Bench led by Justice DY Chandrachud, the Delhi High Court order of Tuesday regarding the oxygen supply situation. This was as per a request of the SG.
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Yesterday, the Delhi High Court had asked the Central government officials to be present in court. It had asked the officials to showcause why contempt proceedings may not be initiated against them. The Centre moved the top court against this order of the High Court.