The State Government of Karnataka after having received numerous complaints from doctors, paramedical staff and healthcare personnel against landlords forcing them to vacate their rented premises has ordered strict penal action in such cases.
There have been many instances across the country where landlords are evicting doctors and paramedics owing to fear of spread of COVID-19.
Earlier this week Delhi Government had also issued direction to take strict penal action against landlords/house-owners who are forcing doctors/paramedical staff/healthcare personnel to vacate their rented residences.
State Government of Karnataka in its order has said that “such behavior amounts to obstructing public servant in discharging their duties.” This would mean that a landlord evicting a doctor or a paramedic can be charged under section 186 of the Indian Penal Code which says “Whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.”
The State Government further stipulated that that the “Government of Karnataka has issued the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 under the Epidemic Diseases act, 1897 and Hyderabad Infectious Disease act, 1950 for prevention and containment of COVID-19.”
The State Government directed all the Deputy Commissioner of District, Commissioners of Municipal Corporations and District Deputy Commissioners of Police to take strict penal action against such landlords who are evicting doctors and paramedics and submit an action taken Report on a daily basis to the office of Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, and Government of Karnataka.
-Shaheen Parween