Plea In Madras HC To Enforce Strict Lockdown Measures In Chennai [Read Petition]

The writ petition filed through Advocates S. John, J. Raja Singh and V. Vasanthakumar, seeks forthwith withdrawal of all the relaxations related to the COVID-19 lockdown, and urges that the administration be directed to permit movement for only essential services, until the situation is brought under control.

Relying on certain media reports, the Petitioner pointed out that when the lockdown was announced, there were only 26 cases in Tamil Nadu however, as on date there are over 20,000 confirmed Covid cases in Chennai alone.

"Even though in many parts of the Tamilnadu the spread and intensity of COVID-19 pandemic has been under control, but in the capital city within the jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police the intensity of the pandemic is very high and is increasing day by day based on the Tamilnadu Government's Media Bulletin reports," the Petitioner asserted.

Citing another news report the Petitioner submitted that the state was likely to witness over 1 lakh Covid positive cases in the following months and hence, urged that implementation of lockdown is necessary to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

"If no strict lockdown is enforced in the jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police and further relaxations are executed there shall be an irreversible damage done to the health and life of the general public within jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police," the Petitioner urged before the Court.

The Petitioner has thus sought strict enforcement of lockdown in the city while stating, "without strict lockdown across Chennai it is very difficult to maintain social distancing and this puts the life of the every family member of the person(including the aged and children) at huge risk."

The plea avers that that the State Government has failed to implement the objectives of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 in letter and spirit.

"The State of Tamilnadu ought to have implemented the objectives of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 scientifically by balancing the economy and also not exposing the general public to danger of COVID - 19. But the situation of COVID — 19 in the jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police has been more swayed towards the economic activities and not Protection of Life of the general public," he has asserted.

Considering the gravity and urgency of the matter thus, the Petitioner has contended that it may not be the right decision to relax the lockdown in the jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police.

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