The Gauhati High Court on Monday took suo motu cognizance of the ‘alarming situation’ of the second covid wave after observing that extremely high positivity rate in the States of Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.
A bench comprising of Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, Justices N. Kotiswar Singh, and Manash Ranjan Pathak said, “We take Suo Motu notice of the alarming situation of Covid-19 pandemic, which is in its second wave, in the States of Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, where the positivity rate is extremely high.”
The bench took a suo moto cognizance while dealing with the suo motu PIL instituted by the Court owing to the daily surge of cases during the Covid-19 epidemic.
The Court directed the Advocate Generals of the three States to be present before the Court on the next date of hearing, “ The Registrar General is hereby directed to apprise learned Advocate Generals of the three States as well as the counsel for the Union of India so that they may remain present on the next date of listing with the required information.”
It was observed by the High Court, “The Court will require their assistance in getting the true picture in their respective States in the present COvid-19 pandemic and the measures being taken by the respective State Governments to handle the crisis.”
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The Court posted the matter on July 23 for further hearing.
“Meanwhile, our initial order dated 10.05.2021 shall continue till the next date of listing”, the Court ordered.
It is pertinent to note that on July 15, the High Court extended all interim orders passed by the High Court and all other subordinate Courts and Tribunals till July 19 after the matter was adjourned till July 19 regarding the covid 19 situations in all districts in the State of Assam.