Set Up Grievance Redressal Mechanism Within 3 Days To Receive Complaints Of COVID Norms Violations : Karnataka High Court To State

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj while hearing a petition filed by Letzkit foundation said "We direct the state government to create grievance redressal mechanism enabling citizens to forward complaints of violations so that complaints can be looked into by State level and City level committee."

It added "Grievance mechanism shall provide for submitting complaints through emails and by whatsapp or any other form of media. The grievance redressal mechanism shall be notified within three days from today and wide publicity shall be given to availability of mechanism in newspapers and media. Information regarding availability of such mechanisms shall be published in offices of all local authorities including BBMP."

In its previous order the court had said "Right to lead a healthy life is an integral part of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Right to lead a healthy life cannot be obstructed by individuals who do not bother to follow the rules regarding masks, maintaining social distance, congregating etc.

Accordingly, it had clarified "As far as offence under sub section 1 of section 5, (Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act) for failure of wearing mask and social distancing is attracted not only in relation to organisers/leaders of rallies congregations etc but each and every person who participates in the same and who commits violation of wearing of mask and maintaining of social distancing commits and offence. Moreover, any person who abates any offence commits an offence as provided in section 8 of the said act."

The court had then directed Director General of Police (DGP), to issue directions/guidelines to all police officers as well as officers who are authorised to take action of compounding, under sub section 1 of section 10 of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020, for effective implementation of penal provision of the said act.

The court had also directed DGP to constitute a team of senior police officers who will monitor registration of offences punishable under the said act and investigation thereof.