Lekha G
A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde took Suo moto cognizance of the pandemic situation and issued that the High Courts are free to deal with Covid-19 cases, not restraining them from giving relief to people in any way.
“The High Courts, situated almost invariably in the capital of the states, are in a better position to seek immediate reports from the local administration and pass directions and orders for immediate removal of difficulties arising in treatment off the infected patients depending upon local emergent situation. The State machineries are lacking on various aspects and High Courts are suitably dealing wit the issues prevailing at local level within their territorial jurisdiction”,the plea said.
The bench reminded that all the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution mandates equal distribution of all resources throughout the country and also questioned Tamil Nadu on its failure to take over Vedanta’s Tuticorin copper plant to produce more oxygen.
The court gave time to the Centre to draft a national oxygen plan that would ensure equitable distribution throughout the country and fixed further hearing for Tuesday after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought time for filing the Centre’s response to the notice issued on Thursday.