The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Delhi AAP government if it could explain to those who had lost loved ones and close ones to COVID-19
in the last 18 days why the administration did not take action when cases were increasing in the city. He also asked the government to look at the situation with a “magnifying glass”. In lifting the government of Delhi, a bench of judges Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad asked why they waited until the court intervened to take measures such as reducing the number of people attending weddings to 50 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“You (the Delhi government) saw since November 1 which way the wind was blowing. But now you are turning to a turtle because we asked you some questions. The bell should have rung loud and clear when the numbers were spiraling. Why did not wake up when Did you see that the situation was deteriorating? “Why did we have to pull you out of your sleep on November 11? What did you do from November 1 to 11? Why did you wait 18 days (until November 18? ) to make a decision? Do you know how many lives were lost during this period? Can you explain it to those who lost their loved ones and close ones? “the court asked. On the implementation of the rules of social distancing, prevention of spitting and wearing masks, the court was not satisfied with the surveillance by the Delhi government in districts where COVID-19 the numbers were high.
The court also said that the fines imposed (500 rupees for the first offense and 1,000 rupees for each subsequent offense) did not appear to deter. He said there appeared to be a substantial disparity in monitoring and imposing fines in certain districts compared to others.
“What kind of control and classification are you doing? Look at the situation seriously with a magnifying glass. You have crossed cities like New York and Sao Paulo,” the court said. The higher court was hearing a PIL from attorney Rakesh Malhotra seeking to increase the COVID-19 testing numbers in the national capital and getting quick results.
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