COVID19: SC Defers Petition Seeking Imposition Of Financial Emergency, Says Current Situation Not Conducive To Hear Plea

In a hearing that lasted about 4 minutes, the Court, while adjourning the matter for two weeks noted that "such a petition could not be heard in the current situation".

The PIL has been filed by Think Tank Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change which rests on the premise that the 21 day nationwide lockdown order under Disaster Management Act, 2005 as has been done at present does not suffice, keeping in mind the prevalent Coronavirus crisis.

"It is a global epidemic which should not be handled by district level geographical barriers and it must be fought by public and govt both in unified manner as per emergency provisions of Constitution of India", the plea averred.

Apropos this, it stated that "this is the biggest emergency in independent India" which must be addressed as per Constitutional provisions through unified command between Central and State Governments.

As an interim measure, the Petitioner prayed for-

i) necessary directions for suspension of collection of utility bills (Electricity, Water, Gas, Telephone, Internet) and EMIs payments liable to be paid during Lockdown period ;

ii) Direct the State police and local authorities to strictly comply with home ministry instructions so that essential services are not disrupted;

This, according to the representation of the Petitioner is pertinent to not only defeat the war against coronavirus but also for recovery of the Indian Economy after Lockdown is subsides.