'Is Lockdown Only Solution?' : Delhi High Court Refuses To Entertain Plea Seeking Lockdown In Capital Amid COVID-19 Surge

While dismissing the petition, the Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan noted that people should do their homework and refrain from filing such unnecessary petitions.

Filed by Dr Kaushal Kant Sharma, the petition sought for directions to be issued to the Delhi Government to implement another phase lockdown in light of surge in number of COVID19 cases.

The counsel appearing for the Delhi Government, Mr Gautam Narayan, informed the court that as per the orders issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the State Government can't impose a lockdown without the prior permission of the central government.

Mr Narayan further highlighted that the Union of India has not even been made a party to this petition.

The court expressed dissatisfaction towards the way the petition has been filed and pulled up the Petitioner for 'not doing his homework'. The court said:

'It's a completely half-baked petition. You have done no homework, this is unnecessary litigation.'

The court further said that the imposition of the lockdown did not result in reduction in the number of cases. It said:

'Is lockdown the only solution? Many studies have shown that it was not effective.'

In light of these observations, the court allowed the Petitioner to withdraw his petition.