"Second Wave Has Shown A Downward Trend": Punjab & Haryana High Court Closes Covid-19 Case

Upon noting that the second wave of Covid-19 has substantially declined, the Punjab and Haryana High Court closed a petition by way of which it was monitoring the pandemic situation of the tri-city i.e. Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

A division bench comprising of Justices Rajan Gupta and Karamjit Singh observed,

"Admittedly, second wave in this region has now substantially declined and shown downward trend. We, thus, wish to give quietus to the case."

In wake of the second Covid-19 wave, the High Court had started monitoring the pandemic situation on a petition filed by a jail inmate complaining that he was not given proper Covid-19 treatment in the hospital. At the outset, the Court appreciated Senior Advocate Rupinder Khosla, the Amicus Curiae in the case for his assistance on the issue.

"We are happy to note that the directions were carried out and as per Mr. Khosla, learned amicus curiae, inhabitants of the States under jurisdiction of this Court got much needed relief," the Court said.

The Court had earlier issued slew of directions on the aspects concerning uniformity in rates of RAT and RTPCR in States including Punjab, Haryana and UT of Chandigarh, ICU Control Rooms, over charging of private hospitals and the need for States to examine Centre's guidelines for screening and diagnosis of Mucormycosis or black fungus.

It also directed that Secretaries, Legal Services Authority in every District would be member of Committee/Nodal Agencies comprising of Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Representative of Municipal Counsel/Corporation and Civil Surgeon formed for disposal of complaints arising of Covid situation.

It also said that persons wearing their masks casually leaving their mouth or nose exposed will be treated on "equal footing as those not wearing the mask at all."

Title: Rishi v. State of Haryana & Ors.

Click Here To Read Order