Bombay High Court Continues Hearing Of PIL On COVID19 Issues When Told Of Supreme Court's Suo Moto Cognizance

Sharmeen Hakim

22 April 2021 9:11 AM GMT

  • Bombay High Court Continues Hearing Of PIL On COVID19 Issues When Told Of Supreme Courts Suo Moto Cognizance

    The Bombay High Court on Thursday said that it will continue to hearing the Public Interest Litigation on COVID19 issues, after the Additional Solicitor General appearing for the Centre informed the Court that the Supreme Court has decided to take suo moto cognizance of the issues related to the pandemic.The development came after the ASG Anil Singh tried to interject by referring to news...

    The Bombay High Court on Thursday said that it will continue to hearing the Public Interest Litigation on COVID19 issues, after the Additional Solicitor General appearing for the Centre informed the Court that the Supreme Court has decided to take suo moto cognizance of the issues related to the pandemic.

    The development came after the ASG Anil Singh tried to interject by referring to news reports related to the Supreme Court taking suo moto cognizance of COVID19 issues.

    Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta, who is leading the division bench, said that the Supreme Court is yet to transfer the High Court proceedings, and till then the High Court will continue to hear the matter.

    The High Court was dealing with a Public Interest Litigation filed by Advocate Sneha Marjadi represented by advocate Arshil Shah Simil Purohit. Advocates Rajesh Inamdar and Shashwat Ananad representing another petitioner Nilesh Navalakha.

    The petition highlights the delay in RT-PCR test results, doctor's prescription being sought for government testing and problems related to availability of hospital beds and oxygen. Advocates Rajesh Inamdar and Shashwat Anand also made submissions on another issues, including, having uniform rates for the anti-viral drug Remdesivir and measures to control black marketing.


    The Supreme Court today took suo moto cognizance on issues related to oxygen supply, drug supply, vaccine policy in relation to COVID19 pandemic.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, Justices L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat said that notice to the Union of India will be issued today and the matter will be considered tomorrow.

    Senior Advocate Harish Salve has been appointed as an amicus curiae in the matter to assist the court.

    The CJI said that the Court was proposing to take cognizance on four points, which are :

    (a) supply of oxygen

    (b) supply of essential drugs

    (c)method and manner of vaccination.

    (d)State's power to declare lockdown.

    Edited by Nupur Thapliyal

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