HC blasts ‘murderous’ EC for conducting polls in pandemic
Were you on another planet when political rallies were being held, your officers should be booked on murder charges probably: Court; India reaches out to EU for aid; 2-week lockdown in Karnataka from today
The Madras High Court exploded in anger on Monday as it called the Election Commission of India (ECI) “murderers” for not stopping political parties from wanton abuse of the COVID-19 protocol.
“The Election Commission of India should be put up on murder charges probably for being the most irresponsible institution over the last few months,” a visibly upset Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee said.
“Were you on another planet when political rallies were being held?”
He told the Election Commission’s counsel: “Your institution is singularly responsible for the second wave of COVID-19.
“Your officers should be booked on murder charges probably. You have been singularly lacking any kind of exercise of authority.
“You have not taken measures against political parties holding rallies despite every order of this court saying ‘maintain COVID-19 protocol, maintain COVID-19 protocol.’
And the judges warned: “Now we assure you we will stop counting if we do not find before May 2 a blueprint on how proper maintenance of COVID-19 protocol will be maintained so that this state does not succumb to your idiosyncrasies any further.
“At no cost, the counting of votes on May 2 result in being a catalyst to a further surge, politics or no politics and whether the counting takes place in a staggered manner or deferred. Public health is of paramount importance and it is distressing that constitutional authorities have to be reminded in such regard.
“The situation now is of survival and protection. Everything else comes next,” the Chief Justice said.
Tamil Nadu’s single-day COVID cases hit 15,653 on Sunday, pushing the total case count to 108,100 till date. As many as 82 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 13,557 so far, the health department said.
On the last day of her 50-day long poll campaign in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticised the Election Commission for allegedly working in favour of the BJP, besides holding the poll panel responsible for the upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
In panic, Indian embassies have reached out to their host nations in Europe for help as the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic has triggered a massive crisis across India.
Official sources told IANS that embassies are seeking empty, refillable Oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres Liquid Medical Oxygen capacity; Oxygen concentrators; in situ Oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals; and Remdesivir from the European Union member states.
A day ater Bengaluru overtook Mumbai in terms of registering Covid positive cases, Karnataka on Monday decided to opt for enforcing lockdown like restrictions for the next fortnight starting from Tuesday evening onwards.
Announcing this ater the cabinet meeting here, Karnataka chief minister, BS Yediyurappa said that Karnataka will enforce lockdown measures to contain Indian variants of the deadly virus spreading like wildfire.
Even the essential shops will be allowed to operate only between 6:00am and 10:00am on every morning till May 10.
The Karnataka cabinet also decided to vaccinate all those between 18 and 44 years of age free of cost. It also allowed home delivery of liquor for the first time in the state’s history.
Niti Aayog’s member health, Dr VK Paul, on Monday urged people not to venture out unnecessarily and wear masks at home also. Speaking at a Union Health Ministry press conference Paul said, “Please wear a mask, do not go out unnecessarily. Stay with your family. Even within the family wear the mask.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday urged people to maintain absolute caution as variants of the UK and South African virus have been identified in the state.
“We have been told that the UK and South African variant virus have been reported in April. Of the total cases now detected, 40 per cent are from these variants which includes 30 per cent of the UK strain, while 7 per cent is the double mutant strain and 2 per cent is the one from South Africa,” he said ater an all-party meeting here.