Covid-19: Telangana HC Gives State Gov't 48 hrs to Submit Plan to Control Movement in Public Places

The Telangana High Court has reprimanded the state government for filing a “wishy washy and disappointing” affidavit in response to pleas related to Covid-19 and has directed the government to issue its guidelines for restrictions within 48 hours. 

The bench of Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B Vijaysen Reddy expressed its disappointment over the affidavit lacking details of how it plans to limit footfalls in public places. The bench pointed out that while the state was checking international passengers it was “beautifully silent” on its measures to control persons entering the state through bus stations, railway stations and private vehicles, reported The Hindu.

The state government counsel submitted that they were following the Centre’s guidelines to which the bench retorted that the Centre had allowed states formulate their own guidelines and directions. The Hindu quoted Chief Justice Kohli as asking, “What are you going to make of the people of the state..sitting ducks?”

The bench has directed the government to specify whether it has issued any circulars to check footfall in cinema halls, malls and other public places and has also sought the government’s response over hospitals not admitting persons who have tested positive for Covid-19 unless their condition was critical.

While dealing with a bunch of petitions relating to Covid-19 the court remarked that the state had been witnessing a high number of cases and one of the petitioners contended that there was lack of transparency in availability of medical oxygen and beds in the state.

The court has said that it will review the plan of the government and then pass appropriate orders at the next hearing, April 23.

Courtesy: Sabrang India