[Covid-19] "Police Has Also Become Complacent": Allahabad High Court Expresses Displeasure Over Non-Adherence To Mask Rule In UP

On noting the meagre number of people who were penalized for violating the Covid-safety guidelines in the city of Prayagraj, a Division Bench comprising of Justices Siddhartha Varma and Ajit Kumar observed,

"This small number of penalisation shows that the police has also become complacent."

The Bench has called for strict implementation of its order dated March 1, issuing several directions to be observed all across the State. the Bench had observed therein that failure to follow such directions would attract strict action under the Epidemic Diseases Act, and other relevant laws such as the Disaster Management Act.

'People Forgetting That They Have To Protect Themselves From Deadly Covid-19 Virus': Allahabad High Court Reiterates Directions; Seek Strict Enforcement

On Monday, the Bench was informed by the Advocate Commissioner, appointed by the Court to look after implementation of Covid-safety guidelines in the city, that almost nobody is wearing mask.

Further, the Police Department told the Bench that they had challaned 1192 persons for not wearing mask in the city of Prayagraj, from the date of its order.

Dissatisfied with the ground report, the Bench has sought for appointment of a "responsible police officer" to apprise the Court as to why steps are not being taken to implement its directions contained in the March 1 order.

The Bench has also sought response from the counsel appearing for the High Court as to what steps are being taken to make sure that Covid-safety guidelines are observed within the High Court premises.

The matter is fixed for hearing on Friday, March 26.

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This is not the first time that the Allahabad High Court has pulled up the UP Police for its failure to enforce Covid-safety guidelines.

In September last year, when the virus was at its peak, the High Court had asked the UP Police to make sure no person moves outside his/ her house without a mask on his/her face.

The Court had observed that the Police and the Administration cannot get away by saying that people are to be blamed for not wearing the masks. They cannot say that despite their best efforts, masks are not being worn.

In another order, the Bench had pulled up the administration for tuning the social distancing norm into an "empty shibboleth".

"Neither the Government is looking interested in implementing the rule that two individuals should remain two yards away and wear masks nor the people of our State are interested in following the above rule," the Division bench had remarked.

Case Title: In-Re Inhuman Condition At Quarantine Centres…

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