The Supreme Court, on June 17, asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file an affidavit to clarify what quarantine protocol was being followed by officials in Noida. The bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan was hearing a petition about lack of uniform pass system for commuters in Ghaziabad, Noida and Gurugram who travel to Delhi.
It was brought to the attention of the court by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan that a pregnant woman had died due to unavailability of hospital beds in Noida and mentioned that Noida had adopted a different procedure with respect to institutional quarantine and home quarantine.
The court observed, “Don’t put asymptomatic people in hospitals. It will create a problem.” The court directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to obtain necessary instructions on the guidelines implemented in Uttar Pradesh and said, “Don’t be in denial mode”.
On the last hearing date, June 12, the court had observed that certain guidelines issued by District Magistrate, Noida were not in conformity with the National guidelines and the guidelines issued by the State of Uttar Pradesh and had directed DM, Noida to take remedial measures and follow the guidelines.
The court scheduled the next hearing for July 6, and asked the Uttar Pradesh state government to file an appropriate affidavit regarding guidelines of quarantine and hospital treatment of asymptomatic patients on that date.
The order may be read here.
Related:
“A very sorry state of affairs,” says Bombay HC on health status of prison inmates in the state
SC dismisses PIL seeking direction to Centre to approach ICJ against China