Ensure Strict Adherence To COVID-19 Protocol In City's Sadar Bazaar Area: High Court Tells Delhi Police

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the city police to ensure that the COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed in the city's Sadar Bazaar area.

Justice Rekha Palli was hearing a plea moved by Advocate Shalen Bhardwaj seeking directions for taking legal action against the Delhi police officials for violating the Covid-19 guidelines on duty and not implementing the Covid-19 guidelines despite issuance of circulars by Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Disaster Management Authority.

It is the case of the petitioner that in August this year, he was challaned for not wearing a mask in Sadar Bazaar area. However, the plea alleges that the police officials were themselves not wearing masks and helmet at that time on duty.

The plea also adds that when the petitioner and others present with him were brought to the police station Sadar Bazar, they were shocked to see that most of the policemen were sitting without mask in violation of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.

The plea therefore avers that despite many complaints made by the Petitioner under Section 83 Delhi Police Act, 1978, in order to stop the unauthorized activities in Sadar Bazar Market area, no action has been taken by the respondents.

It has also been stated that on the next day when petitioner had approached the office of the DCP concerned to make complaint against the erring police officials, a similar scenario was witnessed wherein most of the policemen were sitting without the mask.

Accordingly, the plea seeks directions for taking action against the concerned officers who were responsible for laxity in the strict enforcement of COVID Appropriate Behaviour in Sadar Bazar area.

It also seeks directions on the respondent authorities and other district and local authorities concerned, to take necessary measures for management of COVID-19, failing which the officers concerned should be made personally responsible.

The matter will now be heard in January 2022. 

Case Title: SHALEN BHARDWAJ (ADVOCATE) v. MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS & ORS.