Attack On Covid Warriors: Kerala High Court Directs Police To Pull Up Its Socks

In the wake of a recent incident where a nursing assistant was attacked on her way back from Covid duty, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday instructed the police to perk up and stay more alert to avoid such episodes in the future.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Kauser Edappagath expressed its distress with the incident and remarked:

"There are several such brave ladies on the road after dark returning back from their duty. If there are anti-social elements regularly tracking their time and movements, then it is a case that causes us grave concern. We know this is a pure law and order issue; but from the perspective of Covid-19 warriors, we are certain that it finds a place for our consideration and require the police to perk up."

Government Pleader S Kannan responded that although he did not intend to de-sensitize the unfortunate incident, it was an isolated case. To this, the Court retaliated:

"We are not taking this as an isolated incident. We hope that the fact that the High Court has taken cognizance of this incident would send a signal to all such unscrupulous elements lurking in the dark, waiting for their chance to pounce on their prey. The police should pull up their socks and ensure that the lives of our Covid warriors are protected."

Citizenry Should Behave In A Civilized Manner: Kerala High Court Calls For Stringent Action Against Attacks On Medical Workers

The Government Pleader agreed with this proposition and placed on record the FIR that was registered after the incident. 

The said developments ensued in a review petition where a Government Order dated August 16th charging different rates on the Above Poverty Line segment for post-Covid-19 treatment was challenged by Kerala Private Hospitals Association.

The Court agreed with the petitioners and proposed that when deaths even after 30 days of a person turning negative for coronavirus is treated as a COVID-19 death, then by the same rationale treatment for post-Covid complications should also be reckoned as part of coronavirus care.

"On parallel reasoning, treatment which goes on after a person turns negative, must, prima facie, be also reckoned as a Covid treatment."

The Court directed the State to clarify why such an Order was passed, particularly when deaths that occur 30 days after a person turns negative for COVID-19 is also accounted as a Covid death, addressing the ambiguity involved in the Order.

The Court while commenting on the ongoing pandemic remarked:

"It is spreading like wildfire. Even senior advocates here are being infected." 

The matter has been adjourned to the next Wednesday for further consideration. 

Case Title: Kerala Private Hospitals Association v. Advocate Sabu P Joseph